SENIOR diplomats from the US, Norway, Singapore and many other countries are visiting Kashmir on Wednesday to witness the ongoing assembly elections.
The delegation comprised diplomats from Delhi-based missions of the US, Mexico, Guyana, South Korea, Somalia, Panama, Singapore, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa , Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria and the Philippines, people familiar with the matter said.
Most of the embassies are represented by their Charge d'affaires and deputy chief of missions, they said.
Others are represented by political officers at minister-counselor and counselor ranks.
"It is a rare opportunity to come to Kashmir and see the electoral process in action and see democracy. It looks very smooth, everything is very professional," said Jorgan K Andrews, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy
Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases. Voting for 24 seats in the first phase was held on September 18 while polling for 26 seats in the second phase is underway on Wednesday.
The voting for 40 seats in third phase will be held on October 1 while counting of votes will be held on October 8.
In the past, terrorists have targeted elections in Kashmir, and voter turnout has been largely weak.
The territory, however, recorded its highest turnout in 35 years in national elections held in April and May, with a 58.46 per cent participation rate.
Omar flays move
National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah has lashed out at the Centre's move to invite foreign delegates to observe the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
"I don't know why foreigners should be asked to check elections here. When foreign governments comment, then the government of India says 'this is an internal matter for India' and now suddenly they want foreign observers to come and look at our elections," Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar on Wednesday.
He said the assembly elections in J-K "are an internal matter for us", and "we do not need their certificate".
"Also, this participation (of people in polls) is not because of the government of India, it is in spite of everything that the government of India did. They have humiliated people, used all the machinery of the government to detain and harass people.
"In spite of that, people are coming and participating in the elections. So, this is not something the government of India should be highlighting. But, anyway, that's the way they are," he said. (Agencies)
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