Sir,
After 10 year long gap democratic process started in Jammu and Kashmir when Election Commission of India announced the election date for Jammu and Kashmir on 16 of August 2024. This announcement brought happiness and joy on the face of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Now the role of people of Jammu and Kashmir becomes important to strengthen the values of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Any democracy thrives when its citizens are proactive, and willing to participate in the functioning of democracy. The gateway for the citizens to contribute in a major way in an indirect or a representative democracy is largely by exercising their right to vote. India is the largest democracy in the entire world, its success then would fall on its citizens, which is only possible when we, citizens of India, go out and vote. I once again, reiterate that it’s our duty and our right to vote in the elections. Exercising right to vote is perhaps one of the most significant ways in which one can contribute to the aspiring nation that we are now and the nation that we wish to become.
In a democracy it is important for citizens to exercise their right to vote with a great sense of responsibility to elect the right people. But, it is not enough to discharge the responsibility of casting a vote once in five years. More important than this is to exercise a constant vigil over the conduct and actions of our representatives and ensure that they keep to the right track, that power does not go to their head or corrupt them and that they do not indulge in anti- national or anti-people activities.
Bashart Latief
Political analyst
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