Last phase

The third and the final phase of the Assembly elections will bring to a conclusion a peaceful, fiercely contested and a spontaneously participated exercise. People are expected to take part in voting in greater numbers, something that has been a hallmark of this election except the second phase that saw the voting percentage plunge in central Kashmir. Only 45 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot, with percentages going further lower in old parts of Srinagar.

These areas have generally been boycotting the electoral exercise over the past three decades, and despite expectations to the contrary this time around, a majority of people chose to stay away. This means, both the administration and the political parties will need to engage more with people in Srinagar to address their longstanding alienation and the loss of trust in the democratic process.

That said, today’s phase is anticipated to make up for the shortfall in the second phase. Parts of Northern Kashmir have generally voted in large numbers in elections.  The last phase covers 40 Assembly constituencies across seven districts, including Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara. A total of 415 candidates, including key figures like former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand (Congress) and Muzaffar Beig, are in the running.

However, polling in three northern Kashmir districts - Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara - is significant and will likely play a crucial role in the outcome and the eventual government formation. North has some major political players battling it out including Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party which has challenged the dominance of the established entities like the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Conference, which counts parts of Kupwara district as its bastion.

The performance in northern Kashmir will be a do or die situation for the NC, just as the performance in parts of the Jammu division going to polls today will be for the BJP. Both parties will expect to secure the majority of seats in the last phase to be able to lay a claim to government formation in possible coalition with smaller parties.

Be that as it may, what matters more now is the restoration of democracy in the union territory after a decade. Whosoever makes the government, it will represent the collective aspirations of the people of the erstwhile state and hopefully  be accountable and responsive to their demands and grievances.