The Kashmir Chamber Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday concluded its counting of votes which were polled recently to elect its executive committee members.
As per sources, preliminary results of the elections have indicated that majority of the elected members are from the “United 21” group which was contesting the polls against “Credible 21” group.
“The final results would be officially declared on September 29 during the AGM when also the office bearers of the chamber would be elected,” a source said. A member of “United 21” group said the group led by Sheikh Ashiq and Nasir Hamid Khan are considering to appeal before the election commission of the KCCI for revaluation of around 60 votes which have to be decided upon by the election commission.
A total of 1082 votes were polled with poll percentage of 83 percent. Abdul Wahid who is the president of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation is leading the list of winners, sources said.
The top 21 contestants as per sources are Abdul Wahid Malik with 551 votes, Javid Ahmad Tenga with 546 votes, Sheikh Ashiq with 537 votes, Farooq Amin with 528 votes, Sajid Farooq Shah with 528 votes, Syed Masood Shah 528 votes, Dr AM Mir with 526 votes, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi with 524 votes, Nazir Ahmad Khan with 524 votes, Sheikh Imran with 519 votes, Ashiq A Shangloo with 516 votes, Muzaffar Majid Jan with 514 votes, Ashfaq Siddiq Dug with 511 votes, Fayaz A Punjabi with 510 votes, Altaf A Trumboo with 509 votes, Feroz Ahmad Mir with 508 votes, Manzoor A Pakhtoon with 508 votes, Umer N Tibetbaqal with 506 votes, Ghulam Nabi Bhat with 505 votes, Sheikh Gowhar Ali with 503 votes and Babar Chowdhary with 502 votes.
The 42 members of business and trade fraternity of Kashmir for last few days have been busy contesting for seats in the 21-member executive committee of the Valley’s premier business body, the Kashmir Chamber of Industries and Commerce (KCCI).
The 42 contestants have been vying for leadership of the 1300-member chamber. This year, the contestants are divided into two 21-members groups – ‘United-21’ and ‘Credible-21’ – compet.
The key focus areas of the “Credible 21” group in the run up to the elections has that it will highlight issues such as roll-back of Goods and Services Tax (GST), setting-up of a Chamber house and several other trade related issues and even resolution of Kashmir issue.
The “United 21” group has been keener on promoting the need for “unifying the Kashmir Inc”. Entrepreneurs who have proved to be a success story in their fields and were contesting in the elections was seen by industry observers as a “positive change of leadership” in Kashmir’s business community. Candidates from different sectors, age groups and with varying experience is being seen as “the appropriate message” of unity to be sent to the business community in these times of distress faced by Kashmir Inc, according to ‘United 21’.