Voters reply to terror

Third phase of Assembly polls has been concluded. In all 16 constituencies went to polls casting in all 58 plus per cent votes which is 9 per cent increase in comparison to figures obtained in 2008 elections in these constituencies.  By and large, the third phase of polling had to take care of more sensitive constituencies. The significance of the third phase is that it has been held in the aftermath of “fidayeen” attack in a village in Mohra in Uri Sector in which eleven security men, three civilians and eight jihads were slain. The attack was made to spread scare among the local people and keep them away from casting their votes. The jihadis have been trying their utmost to derail Assembly elections and for last few months they have accelerated their activity of creating fear and confusion among the minds of the voters.
In the third phase, the percentage of voting in comparison to what was obtaining in the first and the second phases, has come down from average 72 plus per cent to 58 plus per cent.  The reason for the fall in percentage is firstly the partial confusion created by the Mahora attack of the jihadis. Secondly, Baramulla, Sopore,  Palhalan, Pattan, Sangrama and other constituencies of North Kashmir are very sensitive ones where terrorists and jihadis have been active for quite some time. In the twin towns of Sopore and Baramulla in North Kashmir, polling was below 30 per cent. Sopore, as we know, has been infested with jihadi gun men from the very beginning of insurgency.
But this apart, polling in other constituencies has been brisk and in an overall estimation it has come to 58 per cent. Contrary to the fears that the jihadis would strike during the day of polling nothing untoward happened except few stray incidents. Significantly in the village called Chandanwari, the site of the recent attack of fidayeen of Pakistan, voting was completely normal and the eligible voters stood in long queues to exercise their precious democratic right. There were no signs of fear or anxiety on the face of voters and many among of them exuded full self confidence and were proud to take part in democratic process in the State. When asked whether they entertained any fear from the jihadis armed and trained in Pakistan, their immediate response was that they had been living in unusual conditions for last two decades and they were used to the type of threats handed over to them by the militants. But army was there to protect them.  In fact many of them said that they had never missed casting their vote in Parliamentary and Assembly elections.
By and large it is rather risky to make any anticipation about the result of the voting on the basis of turnout of the electorate. However one common factor that remains to be talked about in all political circles is that people like those in the rest of the country, want development, employment, education and health facilities improved and upgraded etc. Except a minor and negligible incident in North Kashmir, the polling during the third phase has been peaceful and devoid of any major incident. This is because of high security bandobast made by the Election Commission particularly for these sensitive constituencies. It should give a clear and convincing message to the separatists that they have been rejected by the electorate and their call for boycotting the elections has fallen on flat ears. In Sopore  one voter said that they rejected the call of the separatists for boycott of voting because boycott means clearing the path for those to win the election that are corrupt and dishonest. What was needed was to block the entry of such candidates to the Assembly hall. This was the reason why they ignored the boycott and came out to cast the vote.
The fact that large number of voters came out defying threats of fidayeen and the boycott calls of the separatists, is a loud and clear signal that the people of the Valley are strong upholders of democratic dispensation for their State. There is growing consciousness among the people that gun has brought the misery and misfortune to the State. This situation has to be reversed and that can be done only through voting meaning democratic process. The important thing is that they have understood fairly well that Governments can be changed only through election process and people interested in bringing about a change have to exercise their vote. The current Assembly election has established this revised and modified thinking of the people. Two more phases are remaining and on 20th of December these will conclude. By 23rd evening we shall be in know of the result. This is the march of democracy in our country.

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