By Farooq Ganderbali
Defying all predictions and trampling the boycott call given by the separatist leaders, a large majority of Kashmir has voted for the success of democracy. This majority which has been suffering for no reason of their and they had been overshadowed by the vociferous voices of few. But when their turn came for making a change they defied all restrictions not only for themselves but for future generations also.
There has been unusually strong turnout in the first phase of elections for a new state government. Queues of hundreds of voters formed from early morning in Kashmir valley and elsewhere, defying a boycott called by separatist groups. Voters have also come out in strength in Jammu region too shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmir brothers.
The election which was being touted as the stern test for Indian democracy has been a big success for them. It proved without doubt that people’s power ultimately wins.
Large numbers of voters have turned up to cast their ballots even in the remotest of villages. The voters included men and women and they all said they had come to vote by choice and were not deterred by the chilly weather. Most of the polling centers were so crowded that one could not enter it. It seemed that people were not voting rather they were celebrating the great festival of democracy with out fear or coercion.
There are a few lessons to be learnt from the recent state elections. First, calls for boycott were ignored. The turnout was healthy, between 50-70 per cent in all districts. Two, elections were free and fair. There were no cases of booth-capturing, intimidation or bribing voters. It was as clear an example of people’s voice as we have ever had.
The assembly elections presented a historical opportunity to change fate of the people of Jammu Kashmir and people have completely utilized this opportunity. It has revived peoples’ faith in democracy and the democratic institutions.
The heavy turnout in seven phases of elections was an indication that peoples of Jammu Kashmir had endorsed program and policies propagated by democratic forces of India.
The efficient central administration has pioneered a political and economic agenda to fulfill wishes and aspirations of people of Jammu Kashmir.
Establishing sustainable peace and to consolidate reconciliation process is on the top of the centre’s agenda
The people of Kashmir surely need a compliment for reiterating their faith in democracy, despite many constraints. The high voter turnout in the 7-phase assembly elections is a clear victory of the large majority who wish the restoration of peace and normalcy.
“Democracy has triumphed yet again”, as was amptly said by Governor.
The people had evinced their clear unwillingness to be taken for granted or exploited and pushed around in the name of region or religion.
This election will be long remembered as a success point for the democratic forces. There was chilling weather, calls of boycott by separatist forces and other such obstacles, but people cleared all of them for exercising their franchise.
People especially women and youth who had never voted during their lifetime were all more excited about this elections. Majority of the voters belonged to this category. With out any threat or coercion they pressed the button of the voting machine.
The success of these elections rests not only on the shoulders of voters but also on the shoulders of government employees, security personnel and above all media, who left no stone unturned to make these elections a success.
With the commencement of these elections people have put their hope on the elected leaders who will take them out of the misery and problems. People and now done their work by rejecting the separatist and violent forces and given a free hand to political leaders. It is now the turn of our political leaders not to disappoint these people and complete all the finished tasks which has hampered the people of Kashmir to make progress like rest of their counterparts in other Indian states.
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