Introduction
In a historic turn of events, the Srinagar parliamentary constituency witnessed a remarkable surge in voter participation, recording its highest polling rate since 1996. Amidst the backdrop of the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, voters turned out in significant numbers across all 18 segments of the Lok Sabha seat. Chief Electoral Officer Pandurang K Pole highlighted that the provisional 36% turnout by 5 pm marked the second-highest participation rate since the onset of militancy in Kashmir in 1989. This notable increase comes after decades of fluctuating voter turnout, with figures ranging between 11% to 30% since 1998. The 2019 elections particularly saw a low turnout of 14.4%, making this surge even more significant in the region's electoral history.
Enthusiastic voters queue up outside the polling booth in Srinagar-Pulwama Parliamentary Constituency on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo/Qazi Irshad LINK
Peaceful Polling
In a departure from the past, security personnel found themselves with a welcome respite as no incidents were reported from any of the 2,135 polling stations spread across five districts. This marked a significant milestone as, for the first time in three decades, the Kashmir valley witnessed an election that was relatively free of separatist boycotts and violence. The turnout, nearly three times higher than in the 2019 elections, underscored this shift in sentiment, with reports even indicating that family members of some terrorists and separatists in South Kashmir exercised their democratic right to vote.
The palpable enthusiasm wasn't confined to a single polling station but reverberated across Pulwama and Shopian, regions long synonymous with separatist and terrorist activities. From the onset of polling, long queues formed in all areas, including villages associated with prominent figures like terrorist Riyaz Naiko and the hometown of Burhan Wani, Traal. This widespread participation sent a clear message: Kashmiris have begun to place their trust in the electoral process, recognizing the potency of their vote in addressing their long-standing grievances.
Comments by Locals Who Came to Vote
“I have voted after three decades for peace and prosperity. We want our own people to govern us as we are facing a lot of problems,” Ghulam Rasool Mattu, 72, said, “I am hopeful our votes today will change our fate and bring more peace in the region.”
“We hope our Lok Sabha candidates do not misuse our votes,” one of the voters said and many others echoed his sentiment.
“This time, a large number of voters voted without any fear. It’s good that people are voting as the boycott was never a good decision,” Ghulam Mohammad, a resident, said, adding that all members of his family had come out to vote.
Adil Khan, a young voter from Hawal, said that he voted for the first time, and he believes that the vote holds more power than anything else. He added that while they are voting for the first time, they hope the candidates they choose won’t misuse their votes “as has happened in the past”.
Shakeel Ahmad, a first-time voter from Harwan, mentioned that he voted early Monday morning. He hopes that the new leaders from Kashmir will work on improving society, especially since Article 370 was removed. “We want candidates who will listen to us and speak for us in Parliament. But they should also value our votes,” he added, pointing out that candidates often only show up during election time.
Even though he was slightly skeptical, he knew that voting was the only way to make sure their opinions get heard in the Parliament.
Transcending boundaries
In the Ganderbal district, encompassing two assembly segments, an impressive nearly 50% voter turnout was recorded. At the government school polling station in Barsoo Lar, by 3 pm, 299 out of 777 registered voters had already cast their ballots, indicating a robust participation rate. Pulwama's Naira village, the hometown of PDP candidate Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, saw 173 votes out of 1,070 cast within the first three hours, reflecting an early engagement among residents. Similarly, in the central district of Budgam, many locals ventured out to exercise their voting rights, adding to the electoral fervor.
Amidst the electoral fervor, reports emerged of challenges faced by workers and agents from the NC and PDP parties, who claimed harassment by police personnel at certain locations. Additionally, concerns were raised about the sluggish operation of voting machines, leading to extended queues. However, the chief electoral officer assured that the EVMs were functioning uniformly across all sites and reiterated the commitment of polling staff to their duties.
A comparison of the Lok Sabha elections from 2019 to 2024
In 2019, the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency, which encompasses 15 assembly constituencies, witnessed a modest turnout as 11,06,729 voters cast their ballots, amounting to just 14.1% of the total votes. However, fast forward to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the dynamics have shifted significantly. With the inclusion of three additional assembly constituencies, the constituency now boasts 17,47,810 registered voters. By the close of polling at 9 PM, the turnout surged to 36.88%, marking a substantial increase compared to the previous election cycle.
The Srinagar parliamentary contest in 2024 features a compelling three-way battle, with Agha Ruhullah Mehdi of the National Conference, Waheed-u-Rehman Parra representing the PDP, and Mohammad Ashraf Mir from another political faction vying for victory. This electoral showdown unfolds against the backdrop of heightened security measures in the Kashmir Valley, where approximately 17,47,810 voters, comprising 8,75,938 male voters, 8,71,808 female voters, and 64 third-gender voters, exercised their franchise across 2,135 polling stations spread across five districts: Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, and Shopian.
The surge in voter participation underscores a palpable shift in the mindset of ordinary Kashmiris towards the electoral process. Regardless of their political leanings or motivations, many Kashmiri citizens, especially the youth, perceive voting as a potent tool to shape their destinies and amplify their concerns within the hallowed halls of Parliament. This rising tide of civic engagement reflects a burgeoning trust in democratic principles and a desire for meaningful change among the electorate in the Kashmir Valley.
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