In Srinagar's Faqir Gujri, voters seek representation, employment

Srinagar, Sept 25: Voting for second phase in Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls commenced Wednesday morning with voters telling reporters they want a "real change and an end to the arbitrary administrative decisions affecting their day-to-day life."

This election has seen many first-time voters casting their ballots as long held belief of boycotting elections in Kashmir is being replaced by peoples will to choose their representative which they say has been missing from the last ten years.

While a total of 9% of voting has been recorded across all six districts voting today, capital Srinagar has so far recorded around 5% voting, officials said.

People in Srinagar's Faqeer Gujri told GKTV that they are voting to end the lack of representation they have face in the last decade even as they are trying to get rid of high electricity tariffs implemented by the current administration.

Youth told GKTV that they are voting in a hope to get more employment opportunities and to select a leader who can be their voice on the larger platform in the assembly.

J&K has been without an elected government from the last ten years.

Many young voters and women were seen casting their ballot in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. "We are voting in the way of Allah to make ease things a bit for us and our families," said a 53-year-old woman after casting her ballot.

She said she and other women are voting because they have faced a difficult life since 2019. "Huge power bills, no one to take our grievance to, and no jobs for our kids," these are some main reasons bringing us here today," she said.

Meanwhile, a good participation is being witnessed from the houseboat community, with people travelling to polling stations in their hand-rowed boats in the famous Dal Lake.

The voting began at 7 am amidst tight security arrangements and was going on smoothly, the officials said after the first two hours of voting.

The assembly constituencies where polls are being held in the second phase are spread over six districts — three each in the Valley and the Jammu division.

The constituencies in Srinagar district are Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng and Eidgah.

The segments in Budgam district are Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief and Chadoora, while there are two constituencies in Ganderbal district — Kangan (ST) and Ganderbal.

The seats going to polls in Jammu division are Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (in Reasi district), Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST) (in Rajouri district), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli and Mendhar (ST) (Poonch district).

The polling will decide the fate of 239 candidates including former chief minister Omar Abdullah who is contesting from two seats — Budgam and Ganderbal.

For this phase, 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district and 20 in Reasi district.

The Election Commission of India has set up 3,502 polling stations in these segments. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations, the officials said.

Security personnel comprising police, armed police and central armed paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength around the polling stations.

A multi-tier security blanket has been thrown around each polling station to ensure the voting for the second phase is held in an atmosphere free of fear, they added.