As the September sun climbed high over the mountains of Kashmir, the valley witnessed a festival of democracy across the polling booths at various assembly constituencies going for the second phase of assembly elections. Large lines of people began to form early in the morning, waiting for their turn to vote.
This year’s elections, held after a decade-long hiatus, infused a newfound importance into voters. The gap of ten years generated excitement among the people. Polling stations felt like lively gatherings. Families arrived in cars with food, like a picnic affair. Inside and outside the booths, people, including voters, election agents, observers, polling staff, and security forces, gathered to participate in the festival of democracy and ensure the elections were held smoothly.
“I’m here to vote for my future,” said Bisma Ayoub, 25, her voice breaking the noise of people who were waiting in lines to vote at Baghi Mehtab polling station of Chanapora Assembly Constituency.
“It’s time we elect our representatives who can work for us,” said Bisma, a law student at University of Kashmir.
Time to elect local representatives
Bisma’s enthusiasm mirrored that of many young and old voters. The atmosphere was alive with hope and anticipation.
Umar, a 34-year-old local resident, stood in a que at Kralpora polling booth in Srinagar. Like Umar the youth of Kashmir want their work to be done. They feel it is an opportunity to elect representatives who can be held accountable.
“We eagerly wanted these elections to happen. We want the new government to work for the youth of our valley, as unemployment and drug addiction have battered our youth.”
His words resonated with those around him, who joined in sharing how unemployment rates have increased in last decade, pushing youth into mental illness issues and even drug addiction.
Amidst the excitement of voters, election staff appeared busier than usual. However, some voiced complaints about inadequate facilities and resources at the pooling booths.
“We’re doing our best, but it’s challenging as some basic facilities are lagging,” one staff member said, wiping sweat from his forehead sitting inside a make shift tin shed on an unusually hot day.
No sense of fear
In the backdrop of terror threats and calls for boycotts, the second phase of the elections held on Wednesday, the 26 constituencies—15 in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu—achieved an overall turnout of 56.94%, a figure that may be adjusted upward later.
A significant number of observers and election agents were dotting the booths to ensure elections are held fairly and with all transparency. There was no sense of fear this time. Unlike past elections marked by stone pelting, boycotts, and hartal calls, the mood was overwhelmingly positive. Voters approached the booths without any fear, eager to participate in a democratic process that had been suspended for last six years.
“Political activity was silenced for years, but it has led to a surge in awareness,” said Farooq Ahmad, an election observer for a regional party.
“More people are joining active politics, more are fighting elections, and the rallies leading up to today were unprecedented,” said Farooq.
Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole reported that the polling proceeded without incident, noting that Srinagar, the Union Territory’s capital, saw a turnout of 29%, surpassing the 22.83% recorded during recent Lok Sabha elections. This follows a summer Lok Sabha turnout of 58.46%, the highest in 35 years, and an impressive 61.38% turnout during last week’s initial polling phase for 24 seats.
Reasi district in Jammu recorded the highest turnout at 71.81%, while Srinagar had the lowest at 27.31%. The highest historical turnout for Jammu and Kashmir was 75% in 1987.
Major election issues
Central issues in this election include statehood, the repercussions of unemployment, inflation, Article 370’s removal, terrorism, and developmental concerns. The final phase of polling for 40 seats is scheduled for October 1, with results expected on October 8.
As people discussed issues such as unemployment, inflation, and drug addiction, people also engaged in conversations about Article 370 and the demand for statehood.
“Voting is happening here after ten years. People are elated to vote,” said Umar Usman Mir, a voter from Lal Chowk constituency.
“I cast my vote for development and unemployment. I request everyone not to waste their votes because if we want to solve our problems, we need to elect our representatives. We are facing issues like drainage, electricity, and inflation.”
G.M. Rather, a resident of Housing Colony Chanapora, shared a similar sentiment.
“Voting is happening after ten years. People are very happy that we got this opportunity to vote. An elected government would be good for us. Hospitals, roads, and connectivity would be taken care of.”
Rather said, one-person government is not good for democracy, as there is no way you can meet them.
“Elected representatives are our neighbors, they live among us, belong to our area. We can easily go to them. This election holds importance in restoring democracy in Kashmir,” Rather added.
In this phase of the electoral battle, 239 candidates are vying for seats, primarily competing among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Congress-National Conference coalition, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A recent alliance between Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami, alongside several local parties, may influence the electoral dynamics.
Key candidates in the second phase include former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Congress and BJP leaders Tariq Hamid Karra and Ravinder Raina, separatist Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, and Apni Party leader Altaf Bukhari, all representing six districts on either side of the Pir Panjal mountain range.
After voting at the Ram Munshi polling booth in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah commented that high voter turnout does not reflect satisfaction with the central government. Raina, contesting from Nowshera, asserted that the BJP would win due to its contributions to peace and development in the region.
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