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J&K's Detained MLA Malik: How Postal Ballot Ensures Voting Rights

The J&K government has assured the High Court that detained AAP MLA Mehraj Malik will be able to vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls through a postal ballot. Senior advocates presented the government's arrangements to facilitate Malik's electoral participation despite his detention under the Public Safety Act. The court has scheduled a further hearing on October 27 to consider Malik's participation in the assembly session. This development highlights the legal mechanisms protecting democratic rights even for detained legislators.

Key Points: Mehraj Malik Postal Vote Rajya Sabha Election J&K High Court

  • Detained AAP MLA Mehraj Malik granted postal ballot voting rights
  • J&K High Court intervenes to ensure electoral participation
  • Postal ballot dispatched for Rajya Sabha polls on October 24
  • Malik detained under Public Safety Act in Doda district
2 min read

J&K: Detained MLA to vote through postal ballot for RS polls

Detained AAP MLA Mehraj Malik to vote via postal ballot in upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, court ensures voting rights

"The government has already dispatched the postal ballot to the competent authority - Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi"

Srinagar, Oct 18

J&K government said on Saturday that the high court has been informed that the detained MLA, Mehraj Malik, will exercise his right to vote during the Rajya Sabha polls, and arrangements for the same have already been made.

The government has informed the High Court of J&K and Ladakh that necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that the detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Mehraj Malik, can exercise his vote in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Appearing before Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi, along with Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, submitted that the government had already dispatched the postal ballot to the competent authority to facilitate Malik's participation in the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for October 24, 2025, official sources said.

The submission came during the hearing of an application filed by Malik, seeking permission to cast his vote and participate in the upcoming assembly session.

While the petitioners, led by Advocate Rahul Pant and a team of lawyers, pressed for urgent consideration of both prayers, the government's counsel clarified that steps had already been taken to address the voting aspect.

"However, the Court noted that the government's reply to the application was not yet on record. It directed the registry to ensure the reply is properly placed and scheduled the matter for further hearing on October 27, 2025, specifically to consider the second prayer regarding Malik's physical participation in the assembly session commencing October 23.

"The Court also directed the government to ensure that the detained MLA is allowed to cast his vote in accordance with the law," official sources said.

Mehraj Malik was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) after a dossier prepared on his activities said that he had been acting in a manner detrimental to the maintenance of law and order in Doda district of J&K.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why was he detained under PSA in the first place? The government should be more transparent about these detentions. Feels like political targeting sometimes 🤔
A
Arjun K
The court is doing its job well by ensuring constitutional rights are protected. This is how our democracy should function - with proper checks and balances.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see how legal processes work in J&K. The postal ballot arrangement shows the system can adapt to complex situations while maintaining democratic principles.
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Vikram M
If he's detained for being "detrimental to law and order," should he be voting at all? There's some contradiction here that needs clarification from authorities.
M
Michael C
The legal system in India continues to impress me with its ability to handle complex constitutional matters while protecting individual rights. Well done!

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