Baramulla’s ballot boxes fill with hope, ambition

Baramulla, Oct 1: In Baramulla’s old town, this year’s assembly elections have brought a noticeable shift in voter turnout.

Historically, casting a vote here was seen as a betrayal, with voters often labelled as traitors. But this time, the mood at the polling stations feels different.

As Jammat-e-Islami, re-entered the political arena, their participation is reshaping perceptions. Voting, once heavily stigmatised, is now seen as a means of addressing everyday issues here in the old town of Baramulla.

From economic hardship to local development, many voters feel they are casting their ballots for change, particularly in the hope of bringing about a civilian government that will ease their difficulties.

Abdul Hameed Bhat, waiting at the Bagh-e-Islam polling station, noted the subtle shift in sentiment. “Certain things like job and land protection forced me to cast my vote,” Bhat said. “Earlier, people would think casting a vote is like a betrayal, but the political dynamics have changed now, with the entrance of the Jammat-e-Islami in the electoral fray, we no longer feel ashamed and beliee we need governance of our people.”

Muhammad Shaban Ganiae, another local voter, said he cast his vote out of hope for his two sons, both educated but unemployed.

“One of my sons has a PhD in economics, and the other completed his Master’s in 2022. Neither of them has a job. I’m voting because I hope this election might bring opportunities for them and maybe some relief from the rising prices,” Ganaie said.

The mood at the Tawheed Gunj polling booth was no different. Although, voter turnout in the early hours was low here, however, it increased as the day progressed.

Shameema Bano, along with her neighbour soon after casting their vote said that although they do not feel a big change shortly, however, she feels with the popular government in power, they can have more flexibility in conveying their grievances which otherwise was deprived in the last 10 years.

“I wish, issues of development, employment opportunities to youths and basic amenities like increase in the ration scale, tap on price rice and above all some special schemes designed for the unemployed youths could be possible,” she said.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-backed independent candidate, Abdul Rehman Shalla and independent candidate Tauseef Raina, who hails from old town Baramulla, have not only intensified the Baramulla assembly constituency battle but have generated more enthusiasm among the voters, especially from the old town.

“Although some political observers say that too many independent candidates be it a backed candidate or some other, could divide the votes, however, on the ground, one can easily see that their participation has increased the voter turnout. The voters who earlier used to boycott the election, have openly cast their vote which is a huge change,” said a young voter Abid Hussain from Jalal sahib Baramulla.

In Baramulla assembly constituency, a former deputy chief minister, two former legislators, and a former trade union leader besides several young independent candidates are this time in the poll fray.

As the votes are counted in Baramulla, the political landscape appears to be changing.