SRINAGAR, Apr 28: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appointed no authorized agents to verify its MLAs’ votes in the 2025 Rajya Sabha elections, enabling cross-voting that handed BJP a seat, an RTI reply from J&K Assembly Secretariat shows.
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) listed seven agents total: four from National Conference (NC), two from BJP, and one from Congress. No agents for PDP, despite its three MLAs.
Under Rule 39AA of Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, party MLAs must show marked ballots to agents before boxing them. Refusal leads to cancellation: presiding officer marks “Cancelled: voting procedure violated,” signs, and segregates invalid papers.
Election Commission rules require parties to appoint agents regardless of fielding candidates. PDP’s omission—despite past RS participation—raises eyebrows, especially with only three MLAs then.
Congress’s single agent, MLA Nizamuddin Bhat, also skipped showing his ballot, as no second agent existed.
In October 2025 polls, eight NC-pledged MLAs cross-voted, aiding BJP’s victory despite its two-vote shortfall.
