Suhail Khan
Srinagar, May 13: The summer capital city of Srinagar’s Downtown, an area which used to boycott elections in the past, has this time participated in the ongoing electoral process.
The Kashmir Despatch team visited many polling stations in the downtown area and interacted with the voters who, for the first time, stood up and cast their votes in favor of their favorite candidates.
Kamran Dar, a youth from Downtown Srinagar, told Kashmir Despatch that it’s time to stand up and fight for the bright future of our youth.
He said he cast his vote for the sake of his younger generation, who are involved in drugs and other illegal activities. He said the youth are suffering, they are unemployed, so he cast his vote for their bright future.
He said the youth need jobs, and choosing our representative is very important, as they can fight for the rights of the youth for their bright future.
An elderly man, after casting his vote, interacted with Kashmir Despatch and stated that the people of this downtown have now stood up to choose a representative who will fight for us, for our rights, for our development, and for our overall well-being.
A group of females, speaking to Kashmir Despatch, said that they are casting their votes for the first time, and the reason is that being away from the electoral process, they have suffered a lot. They said that the downtown area really needs development, and they believe that casting their vote for their representative will help them see the development in their area, like other areas.
They said that this time, it’s not only the downtown but the whole of Kashmir that has stood up for our rights, and they believe it’s important to cast their votes.
The group of females said that development is not only about seeing the macadamized roads but also about addressing our every basic facility, providing jobs for our children, and protecting our daughters.
Hussain Ahmad, a local, told Kashmir Despatch that it’s not only Downtown Srinagar but the whole of Kashmir that should come forward this time, as it’s not only an election but a voice to be raised for our peaceful Jammu and Kashmir. He said that everyone, especially across Kashmir, should cast their votes this time, as we are really facing hard times.
Pertinently, 14.94 percent votes were cast till 11 am. As per the official data, the voter turnout in different constituencies was as follows: Central Shalteng -9.40 percent, Chadoora – 22.30 percent, Char-e-Shareef – 22.20 percent, Channapora – 8.12 percent, Eidgah – 13.20 percent, Ganderbal – 21.44 percent, Habba Kadal – 6.12 percent, Hazratbal – 10.29 percent, Kangan (ST)-22.68 percent, Khan Sahib – 19.70 percent, Khanyar -9.43 percent, Lal Chowk – 9.94 percent, Pampore – 14.79 percent, Pulwama – 16.27 percent, Rajpora – 20.86 percent, Shopian – 17.28 percent, Tral -12.42 percent, and Zadibal – 10.89 percent.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
