Feeling empowered, say first-time Kashmiri migrant voters

Jammu, May 25: First-time voters among Kashmiri migrants, who voted for Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency in special polling stations set up in Jammu and Udhampur, were imbuing exuberance after contributing their bit to this democratic exercise.

The constituency went to polls on Saturday in the sixth phase, as per the revised schedule. Over 27, 000 migrant voters were eligible to vote in 34 polling stations set up in Jammu (29 polling stations), Udhampur (1) and Delhi (4).

“Yes, we are overjoyed to be part of this democratic exercise through which we will elect representatives of our choice for the first time,” a group of youngsters said, after gleefully posing with their inked fingers at a special polling station in Chinore.

Neha Pandita, one among these first-time voters, said, “I had been waiting for a long to exercise my right to vote. I’m glad that after casting my vote, I’ve become part of our thriving democracy. It is a feeling of empowerment. Election staff was cooperative. I don’t think that anyone has faced a problem in casting his or her vote.”

Senior citizens and middle-aged persons, who too faced blistering sun, standing in long queues, too were sharing vibes of excitement yet their response was measured and conscious.

After initial hiccups faced during election for Srinagar parliamentary constituency on account of “missing names in the voter lists”, the migrant voters were more or less satisfied with the arrangements made by the Election Commission.

Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani this time also visited different polling stations to take stock of the arrangements.

Long queues of voters could be seen during morning hours. Senior citizens, even those on wheel-chairs, proudly displayed their inked fingers after casting their votes.

However, one could find very few voters during the afternoon due to the blistering sun.

A young couple, who voted at a polling station set up at Chinore, said, “First of all, this is our responsibility. Facing hostile weather, we stood in long serpentine queues to cast our votes as we wanted to see resolution of our problems, development of our home district (Anantnag). We can go back and get rehabilitated there. We can get jobs.”

“For us, this was the first time. It is essential and all youth should come out to vote. Only after voting, we can question the government, our elected representative, their line of action regarding the community's issues,” the couple shared.

At Government Middle School (Migrants), Jagti polling station, R N Raina, an elderly voter, said, “Earlier J&K was passing through a troubled phase. Now the situation has improved a bit. So we have come out to vote to elect a candidate of our own choice; a candidate with a clean image, capable of raising our voice in the Parliament to find a solution to our problems.”

“Hope lingers on. That’s why we have come here to vote. We hope that the candidate will live up to our expectation,” he said, when asked if he was hopeful that his elected representative would fulfil his expectations.

“KP migrants enthusiastically participated in these elections because of voter-friendly initiatives of the Election Commission. Special thanks to the Relief Commissioner for scrapping the cumbersome process of M-Form. During the first phase (Srinagar LS election), there were some problems related to management. Thankfully, they have been resolved,” Rohit Dhar stated.

“It is a democratic right and our fundamental duty. India is on the way to progress. J&K is still lagging behind. There are issues of unemployed youth, rehabilitation etc., We want to see all these happening on the ground. We don’t want haughty claims now. We want compensation for property we lost there in Kashmir. Ours is a miniscule community, the government is duty bound to address our problems. These are our issues and that’s why we have come to vote.”

A first-time voter Preetika at Udhampur voted for jobs and roads.

Shaukat Ahmed Ganai, who voted along with his wife, said, “Since I turned 18, I’ve always voted, taking it as my democratic right and responsibility. We elect our candidate with great hopes. This time also we have come to vote with the same hopes. Rest is up to the Almighty.”

Another Kashmiri migrant, though in early forties yet voted for the first time, said, “We are voting for the first time. My son, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law used the postal ballot facility. See, J&K has always been sensitive. Our every vote is precious. We are convinced that the government will perform.” She voted at the polling station set up at Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar.

Pritam Bhat, who also cast his vote at the same centre, said, “I’m feeling good. There is a positive ambience around.”

Kusum, who exercised her right to vote at a polling station in Government Girls Middle School, Chak Changerwan in Chinore, said, “My dream is our return to Kashmir and to live in harmony with our neighbours there. Phulwari Ki Tarah Kashmir Mein Rahein.”