Hope and Scepticism as Downtown votes for local governance

Srinagar, Sep 25: The streets of Downtown area of Srinagar were witness to a pivotal moment in Kashmir's political history today as voters made their way to polling stations for the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

The air was thick with a potent mixture of hope, skepticism, and a palpable desire for change as citizens exercised their democratic right after years of central rule. The significance of this election cannot be overstated. It represents the first opportunity for Kashmiris to elect local representatives since the J&K's special status was revoked and the erstwhile state was downgraded to union territory. This backdrop set the stage for an election laden with symbolism and fraught with complex emotions.

At Khanyar polling station, 32-year-old Mushtaq Ahmed, an unemployed graduate, captured the sentiment of many: "This isn't just any election. It's our first chance to have a say in who represents us locally. We've had enough of decisions being made for us from afar."

The desire for local governance was a recurring theme among voters. At Safa Kadal, 55-year-old tailor Ghulam Mohammad expressed cautious optimism: "Central rule brought some changes, but it's time for our own people to lead. Only local representatives can truly understand the nuances of our issues, like the smart city projects, water, power issues."

Saima Bhat, a 28-year-old law graduate from Bohri Kadal, emphasised the broader implications of the vote: "We've been without an assembly for too long. My vote is not just for job creation, but for restoring a sense of self-governance."

At Nowhatta area, 70-year-old Bashir Ahmad Dar provided a valuable historical perspective: "I've voted in many elections, but this one feels different. After Article 370, after years of central rule, we're at a crossroads. We need leaders who understand our unique situation and can navigate these new waters."

The issues driving voters to the polls were diverse yet interconnected, reflecting the complex tapestry of challenges facing the J&K.

Fatima Begum, a homemaker at Nowhatta, articulated these concerns: "Development, unemployment, rising electricity bills – these problems have only grown during central rule. We need local representatives who will prioritise our immediate needs." Her words paint a picture of a populace grappling with both day-to-day issues and broader questions of governance and autonomy.

Outside a polling booth at Nowhatta, Irfan Sofi said "This election is about reclaiming our political voice. Since the abrogation, we've felt sidelined. Today, we're saying we want a stake in our own governance." Sofi's statement encapsulates the underlying current of political reaffirmation running through this election.

However, despite these passionate voices, the turnout figures tell a more complex story. Habba Kadal, with 92,000 eligible voters including around 20,000 Kashmiri Pandits, saw a notably low turnout. This suggests a significant level of disengagement or disillusionment among both Muslim and Pandit communities. The contrast with the 2014 assembly elections, where Habba Kadal recorded a 21.3% turnout despite terrorist threats and separatist boycott calls, is stark and troubling.

Other constituencies in Srinagar also saw low participation, with Khanyar recording 25% and Zadibal 29% turnout. These figures, showing little change from the 2014 elections, raise questions about the overall engagement of the populace with the democratic process in this new era.

The situation of Kashmiri Pandits adds another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape. Of the 20,000 Pandit voters registered in Habba Kadal, only 100 still live in the area, with the majority having relocated to Jammu, Delhi, and other parts of the country. This diaspora presents unique challenges for political representation and engagement.

Sunil Koul, a Kashmiri Pandit, expressed deep frustration over the handling of their community's concerns: "Very little attention has been given to our plight. Despite there being 20,000 Pandit voters in Habba Kadal, most did not vote, showing our dissatisfaction with all the political parties contesting these elections."