Image Source: Agencies

J&K Assembly elections 2024: Locals claim it is an identity issue for them.

Srinagar, last updated on Sep 18, 2024, at 12:17 PM IST

Voters form a line outside a polling place in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir.

Voters in J&K's terrorism-affected south Kashmir districts are displaying enthusiasm as they turn out in big numbers to participate in the election process, which is being held for the first time in ten years. Polling is currently taking place in a number of Assembly constituencies.

Election officials report that as of 11 a.m., 26% of voters had cast ballots in all 24 Assembly seats spread over seven districts in J&K that are participating in the first round of the three-phase elections. As of 9 am, the count was 11.11 percent.

Even in the districts of south Kashmir where there had been instances of stone-pelting and boycotting during the previous Assembly elections, there was a massive turnout of voters.

According to Pulwama Deputy Commissioner Bashaarat Qayoom, "Polling in all four of the district's constituencies is going well. The voters, who had been waiting in line at polling places since the early hours of the day, are enthusiastic.

Riyaz Ahmad, a voter in Pulwama's Banzoo village under the Rajpora seat, stated, "It is an issue of identification for us." We never used to vote in our community, but this time we think our candidate can help us with our issues.

There have been a lot of people attending in the Kulgam district as well. Sayar Ahmad Reshi, who is supported by Jamaat, is running against CPM veteran MY Taragami in the Kulgam constituency.

According to a voter in Kulgam, the elections were urgently needed. "It is crucial that we have our own voice, thus I am voting for the first time. We will choose a candidate who can properly address our concerns," he declared.