Polling held under tight security, incident free
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 19: Kashmir valley recorded 30 percent polling in 8th and final phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections and despite sub-zero temperatures people at certain places were waiting in long queues to cast their ballot while at other places Polling Stations were deserted.
State Election Commissioner (SEC), K K Sharma, today said that polling was peaceful in all 13 DDC constituencies in Kashmir where 1028 polling stations were set up.
He said that Kashmir division recorded 29.91% voter turnout with Kupwara district recording the highest polling at 63.80% followed by Bandipora with 56.56% and Baramulla district recorded 44.60% polling.
Sharma informed that in Kashmir division the polling percentage recorded in Budgam was 35.12%, Anantnag 8.66%, Kulgam 11.20%, Pulwama 8.50% and 8.58% polling was registered in Shopian.
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He said that it was very promising to note that a very good participation of people was observed and enthusiasm among the people could be found on its peak keeping in view the fact that these elections are going to have impact on the developmental scenario in the rural community.
He said that the Administration has played a pivotal role in making the elections a success as they have actually made it happen. “In Kashmir the government officials have braved the chilling cold to ensure that democratic process comes out successful”, he added.
While appreciating the role of Health department, the SEC said that department has made fool proof arrangements for implementing the COVID guidelines in and outside the polling stations.
He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir overwhelmingly participated in the election process thus reposing their faith in democracy and democratic process.
Sharma also visited Kupwara today to oversee voting process.
The vote in the last phase was also held under tight security with police and CRPF guarding the polling station while Army provided area domination to prevent militants from disrupting the polls. There were no incidents of violence during the voting.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar today congratulated police and security forces besides people for incident free first-ever election of DDCs in Kashmir valley. “IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar congratulates Police and security forces for conducting of incident free first-ever election of Zila Panchayat (DDCs),” police tweeted.
Once a militancy hotbed, Hajin area in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district witnessed brisk polling today. Hajin recorded over 56 per cent voter turnout in the DDC election.
Hajin-A which includes villages like Chandergeer, Sadunara, Hakbara, SK Bala, Chewa, Yarbalpora, Malpora, and Baniyari recorded 62. 47 per cent voter turnout while Hajin-B includes villages like Chittibandey, Aragam, Ajas, Bazipora, SK Payeen and Matipora, recorded 50. 24 per cent. These villages are considered as the hotbed of militancy in the North Kashmir region since 2008.
Most of the voters who turned up in large numbers at the polling stations in Banyari village said that they came out to vote for the development of their village that has been ignored over the years by the successive governments.
“DDC elections are meant for development and since we have local representatives contesting these elections so it gives us hope that the village will see some development, “ said Irshad Ahmad, who voted at Banyari High School polling station.
An elderly woman, Taja Begum, said she voted to return a favour to a politician who helped her to get her son out of jail. “One of my son was arrested. I went to a politician who helped me in getting my son released. That is the reason I came out to vote today. This was a kind of a burden on my shoulders,” she said.
An Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) trooper deployed on election duty suffered a heart attack at Hakbara village of Hajin in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district this evening.
An ITBP trooper identified as Ajay Kumar of 18 Bravo company suffered a heart attack and fell unconscious when he was on the line of duty outside a polling booth at High School Hakbara in Hajin.
Soon after the incident, he was immediately shifted to the Community Health Center Hajin for treatment where his condition is reported to be out of danger.
In Lolab area of Kupwara district large queues were seen outside polling stations despite cold weather conditions.
Abdul Hamid Khan, a voter from Lolab said: “We want better roads and electricity. I have great expectations from the new leaders and hope they will help the educated unemployed youth of our area.”
Kounsar Khaliq , another voter from Lolab said: “For those we voted for decades, let us down them and I am pining my hopes on new faces. I hope they will work for the development in our area.”
South Kashmir continued to stay away from the ballot box in the eighth and last phase of the District Development Council (DDC) polls.
A group of people in Zainapora Shopian said that they stayed away from polls as several youth are in jails, some were killed and others are being harassed. “We voted in 2014, but in return, we received dead bodies of our youth. Hundreds are languishing in jails on charges of OGW, while many have lost their eyesight,” they said.
Hilal Ahmad, a resident of Zainapora area said that they have been always fooled on the development.
“First we were asked to elect Panch/Sarpanch for development. Then we were told the same in BDC polls, then the same development plank was used during Assembly and Parliamentary elections,” Hilal said. “But after every election, this development remains confined to politicians and their relatives.”
A resident of Kakapora, Manzoor Ahmad said that dozens of youth have been detained under fake charges, while jobs and land rights are being forcibly snatched from Kashmiris.
“These regional parties have given us nothing in the last 70 years.
And BJP last year snatched our every right forcibly, so how can we trust anyone. When BDCs couldn’t do anything for us what will these DDCs do, so better is stay away from polls,” Manzoor said.
However, in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district which is home town of former Chief Minister and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, people did vote. Rayees Ahmad, a voter of Sangam area said that he voted for restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Despite being ignored on various fronts by regional parties, at least, there was a job security, land and other things, but by abrogating Article 370, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has snatched our identity and our vote is against it,” he said.
Another voter Ghulam Nabi from Qoimoh area of Kulgam said that he has voted against those who aren’t allowing them to talk about their rights. “Without taking the people of J&K into confidence, our job and land rights were snatched forcibly, our vote is just for the restoration of our special status,” he said.
Mohammad Amin, a voter from Kulgam said that he voted for his own benefit. “I think the new leaders will end the development deficit of our area. I am hopeful”, he said.
Another voter from Kulgam said that polling station in their area was shifted to discourage them for voting. “We faced lots of hardships in this bone chilling cold as we have to travel a long distance to cast our vote. Last night we came to know that the polling station which falls within 100-metres have been shifted for some unknown reasons. I think the exercise was done to discourage people from voting and help candidates of a particular party to win,” he said.
Raziya Rashid, DDC candidate from block Qoimoh alleged rigging in the area. “Today I went to Redwani Bala where I found another candidate casting votes himself. I immediately raised the issue with concerned authorities and they also took some action. Now I request Election Commissioner to inquire into the matter and conduct re-polling,” he said.
Fayaz Ahmad, a voter from Kakapora in Pulwama said that his vote was for the restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. “People here feel very insecure and once special status will be restored, people will feel secure again,” he said.
Rubeena Gulzar, first time voter from Konibal area of Pampore is South Kashmir’s Pulwama district said that she voted for development. “I want to choose a leader who will bring development in my area. The leaders who were voted to power by earlier generations did not fulfill their promises. This time I am hopeful that our candidates will do everything for their people,” he said.
Ghulam Mohidin Sheikh, another voter from Konibal Pampore said: “We have suffered a lot in last one year. We want to end our suffering by choosing the right candidate. We want a candidate who will fight for our rights.”
An elderly woman, Zoona from Pahroo area of Budgam district said that she has never wasted her vote. “I have always cast my vote. But, I never received desired benefit. This time I am hopeful that the new leader will help widows like me,” she said.
Shahid, Independent DDC candidate from B K Pora in district Budgam said that he contested elections for the welfare of the people. “Our area is facing several problems including bad roads and electricity. If people choose me I will work for the development of the area. I left my job to work for people,” he said.
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