EC’s new headache: A poll for artists

Sudhakar Sharma, secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi, said in New Delhi that the organisation had received a representation from artists from J-K asking for a separate polling centre in Srinagar.

The LKA raised the issue with its electoral officer, EC secretary K.R. Prasad. ‘‘No polling booth was provided in the Valley because the J-K government has its winter capital in Jammu, and no officer would have been available in Srinagar,’’ was Prasad’s explanation.

An explanation that doesn’t cut ice in the Valley. ‘‘The Lalit Kala Akademi seems to unaware about the topography of the region,’’ Gayoor Hassan, a senior artist from the Valley, grumbled. ‘‘We have to leave our homes in winter, spend our own money to vote.’’ Shafi Mirza, another artist from Srinagar, added, ‘‘Before Republic Day, there is a curfew-like situation in the state. Who would like to travel to Jammu for voting?’’

The LKA mustn’t have anticipated this situation when it approached the Election Commission sometime between August and September last year. The EC’s Prasad told The Indian Express: ‘‘The EC conducts elections to various bodies like the Supreme Court Bar Associations, the Association of Chartered Accountants etc. This is not the first time an election officer is being sent for such elections. However, this is the first time for the Lalit Kala Akademi.’’

In true tradition, photo I-cards have been been issued to the eligible voters — in this case, artists who have participated twice in national-level exhibitions. The returning officer will be the director of the state’s Department of Culture.