KCCI elections: 3-member Govt panel to scrutinise membership, voting eligibility

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar — The Office of the District Magistrate (DM), Srinagar, has ordered a comprehensive scrutiny of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (KCC&I) electoral rolls and membership list.

The government order said the decsion follows a series of complaints questioning the  integrity and eligibility of KCCI voting syatem as per its constitutional requirements.

As previously reported by Ziraat Times, this situation has resulted  in the deferment of the Chamber’s Executive Committee elections, which were earlier scheduled for September 22, 2025.

According to the DM’s communication dated 20/09/2025, several representations had alleged that the Chamber’s membership list was “not intact and upto the mark,” thereby jeopardizing the credibility of the democratic exercise. Stressing that elections can only be held in a “free, fair and transparent manner” if the rolls are authentic, the DM’s office advised postponing the polls until the records are fully verified.

High-Level Committee to Scrutinize Membership
To address these concerns, a three-member committee has been constituted with a clear mandate to examine the validity of the Electoral Rolls/Membership List and submit a detailed report at the earliest. The committee comprises:

• Addl. Deputy Commissioner (I), Srinagar — Chairman

• Superintendent of Police (HQR), Srinagar — Member

• State Taxes Officer, Circle (F), Srinagar — Member

The committee has also been empowered to co-opt additional members if necessary. Its work will be guided strictly by the Articles of Association of the KCC&I, the order said.

The deferment order, issued with the approval of the District Magistrate, has been communicated to key stakeholders, including the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and the Secretary General of the KCC&I. Officials emphasized that the elections will be rescheduled only after the membership list is authenticated to ensure democratic sanctity and credibility.