KCCI to hold executive committee elections on Oct 6 after voter roll scrutiny
Srinagar, Oct 1: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has announced that its Executive Committee Elections will now be held on Monday, October 6, following directions from the District Administration Srinagar to “purify and authenticate” the Chamber’s electoral rolls.
The elections were initially slated for September 22, but were deferred on September 20 after some contesting candidates raised objections, alleging the presence of ineligible voters in the rolls. Acting on these complaints, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar constituted a three-member enquiry committee to examine the validity of the electoral roll and membership list in light of the KCCI’s Articles of Association.
The committee, comprising the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), and State Taxes Officer (Circle F), submitted its findings recommending rectification of discrepancies and removal of ineligible and deceased members from the list.
Based on these recommendations, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, on September 30, directed the KCCI Election Commission to carry out immediate corrections before conducting the polls.
Following the directive, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, Secretary General of KCCI, said the Election Commission deliberated on the communication and fixed October 6, 2025, as the new date for polling. Voting will take place at the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium (Near GPO), Srinagar, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Bakshi, in a statement, added that the elections will be conducted under the overall supervision of the DC Srinagar and the KCCI Election Commission, with polling and counting observers from various government departments and banks. Counting of votes will take place on the same day after polling concludes.
The statement further urged all eligible voters to carry a valid KCCI Membership Identity Card, valid up to March 31, 2026, for verification at the polling station to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
The enquiry committee has emphasised that while no eligible voter should be denied their right to vote, all ineligible names—including deceased members—must be removed or clearly marked on the roll used at the polling station.
The Executive Committee of KCCI comprises 21 members elected through this process. From among them, six office bearers—President, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, Secretary General, Joint Secretary General, and Treasurer—are chosen through an internal vote.
