Large numbers of voters, spanning both the older generation and youth, turned out on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to exercise their democratic rights, signaling a resounding victory for democracy in the region, regardless of the election outcomes.
Voters of different ages showcased their unique priorities, yet the growing queues outside polling stations demonstrated a unified belief in the transparency and fairness established by the Election Commission. Young voters expressed their preferences centered on jobs, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and connectivity, while older voters emphasized their commitment to the power of the ballot.
Abbas, a middle-aged voter from the Budgam Assembly constituency, stated, “We are voting to end atrocities and to regain what we have lost. The last ten years have only brought us misery.”
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In contrast, youth voter Muzaffar Ahmad expressed a desire for change: “We are here to vote for development. We will elect our own government.”
The election features notable candidates, including former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah contesting from Budgam, where he faces Aga Muntazir of the PDP. Muntazir highlighted the significance of local representation, saying, “It is a fight between a local and a tourist, and I am confident of victory as people have chosen me.”
Shameema, a 32-year-old voter at the Bemina polling station, articulated the need for local representation to address pressing issues, saying, “We want to vote because we have so many issues to mitigate, and for that, we need a local representative.
Voters began arriving at polling stations early in the morning, greeted by clear autumn skies. The atmosphere across the six districts—Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal—was festive, with security personnel from local police and the CRPF interacting warmly with voters.
A total of 2.578 million electors are eligible to participate in this second phase of elections, which began at 7 a.m. and will conclude at 6 p.m. The Election Commission has set up 3,502 polling stations across the six districts.
Senior politicians, including Omar Abdullah, JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra, and BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina, are among those contesting. The National Conference (NC) and Congress have formed a pre-poll alliance, with NC fielding candidates in 52 seats and Congress contesting 31. Notably, two seats remain uncontested: one for the CPI(M) in the Valley and another for the Panthers Party in Jammu.
The third and final phase of the J&K legislative assembly polls is set for October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
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