Majority voted with hope for improvement in basic facilities
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar Dec 13: Braving chill and in some areas snow, large numbers of people made it to polling stations across Kashmir while at places they were deserted as people stayed out even as 31.55 percent voted in the sixth phase of DDC polls today.
The Valley recorded 31.55% voter turnout with Ganderbal district recording the highest polling at 58.45% followed by Kupwara district at 51.08% and Bandipora with around 47.66% polling.
The polling percentage recorded in Budgam was 30.99%, Baramulla 34.56%, Anantnag 24.06, Kulgam 37.74%, Pulwama 8.16% and 4.60% polling was registered in Shopian.
In Kashmir, 14 constituencies went to vote where 1208 polling stations were set up amid tight security with police and para-military providing security while Army was providing area domination to prevent militants from disrupting the poll process. The polling passed of peacefully as there was no major incident in the Valley.
At Keegam Chak in the frontier district of Kupwara amid biting cold, 85-year old Aisha Begam walked to the Polling Station to exercise her franchise. She was enthusiastic amid dozens of voters who were in a queue outside the Polling Station.
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Speaking to Excelsior, she said: “I am out here to vote and vote for the betterment of our lives. There are so many issues that we are facing. I am hopeful that my vote will be of some use in easing up the difficulties that we are facing.”
At Chadipora area of Natnusa constituency, Kupwara, 36-year-old Ishfaq Lone, was waiting for his turn to vote. This is third time that he is voting in his life and he said that he makes sure to vote for a better candidate. “I always ensure it that my vote goes to someone able and efficient. Someone who can identify the issues that the locals are facing and also make efforts to resolve them. I am hopeful that someone who is elected does justice”, he told Excelsior.
Mohammad Sultan War, a voter from Hatmulla village of Natnusa area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has a different reason to vote in this election. He said that he is voting to send a message to the BJP that he is against the scrapping of Article 370 and 35A.
“I am here to vote for PAGD candidate as they are fighting for the restoration of our special status. By voting, I want to convey a message to the BJP-led Government that all the Kashmiris are united with regard to the restoration of special status. We will fight for our pride till our last breath,” he said.
A 35-year-old woman, Sakeena Akhtar, who voted in a remote village in Baramulla said that she is fed up with the traditional politicians and wanted to vote for a new face. “I am casting my vote to bring new faces in the politics as earlier politicians let us down. New faces will end the development deficient here. It appears every party has fielded their candidates. I am hopeful people will choose the right candidate to bring in necessary changes,” she said.
Another voter from North Kashmir’s Baramulla district voted with the hope that it makes some difference to their lives. “I am casting my votes for the development of my area. I have been voting throughout my life but did not receive any benefits. I am hopeful that these elections will bring changes to our village. I have voted for almost all the parties in the last 60 years of my life but none of them fulfilled their promises. Now, I am pinning my hope on BJP and believe they will bring in changes,” he said.
In Manasbal area of Bandipora district there was a long queue of voters waiting for their turn to cast their vote. Ghulam Qadir, 50, who was also waiting in the queue said with the hope that the candidate who will be elected will work for the betterment of the area. “There are several issues that the people of this area are facing. There is a need for resolving those problems and I am hopeful that the people of this area will elect someone who cares for them. Another issue is that of employment, I hope that our representatives will take care of the youth who are without jobs”, he said.
Bilal Ahmad, 38, at Safapora Polling Station in Ganderbal said: “There are several issues that we are facing; we lack essentials such as electricity, drinking water, roads. This area has been discriminated every time. This area has been given Nayabat, but we don’t have a Naib Tehsildar here. Also, the parties have made DDC elections into politics-it is not about that all. These elections are meant for the development and have got nothing to do with the abrogation of 370 or 35-A”, he said.
In Chadoora area of Budgam district, Fayaz Ahmad, 43, voted with the hope that the basic problems of his area will be resolved. “There is no water in this area; we have to crave for the drinking water. By voting today, we are hoping that our issues which have made our lives difficult are put an end”, he said.
In Kokernag area of Anantnag district, former president of Congress Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said that he was not allowed to vote.
“They are denying me my right to cast the vote. It is the death of democracy. I called my concerned police station and control room who said the situation is normal. But police stopped me on my way and did not allow me to visit my village. What can we do, we are helpless”, he said.
“I was in Srinagar and gave my program to the security last night that I am casting my vote today in Damhal. Early morning they provided me a vehicle and I left for my village to cast my vote. On reaching Anantnag I received a call from the police that the situation was unsafe and I should stay inside the four walls of my house. They requested me to drop the plan and return home”, he said.
In Pahloo in South Kashmir district of Kulgam, Fayaz Ahmad, voted for the development of his area. “As there is a dearth of proper roads, education, and drinking water, I voted so that these issues are resolved. These elections will not bring back Article 370, but I am hopeful they will make a difference in our daily lives,” he said.
Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Ashwal area of the district said: “I cast my vote for better roads, drinking water, and the overall development of my area. The promises made by past leaders have all turned out to be lies. Now, I want to choose a better leader who will focus on improving basic facilities and do not sell big dreams,” he said.
Ghulam Mohidin Ganaie, an independent candidate from Newa area of Pulwama in South Kashmir, thanked people for coming out to vote. “There were no restrictions on me and I conducted door to door campaigning without any hindrances in my constituency. I know the worth of a vote and voters. People should respect both the process by exercising their vote. I am thankful to the voters who have turned up for voting despite the bone-chilling cold. By casting vote, people will be able to choose the right candidates,” he said.
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