Pattan, Oct 02: Voters in Pattan constituency turned out in large numbers, many breaking from their past boycott of the electoral process.
Long queues formed at polling stations early in the morning, with youth and women voters leading the way, casting their ballots in the hope of securing employment, development, and basic amenities for the region.
Amir Hassan, a first-time voter from Palhallan, told Rising Kashmir that the growing unemployment among educated youth had pushed many to vote for change. “These elections are a source of hope for us. Since J&K’s bifurcation, our issues have not been raised in the assembly. We believe our candidate will address the ground realities of unemployment, poverty, and the challenges faced by local farmers,” he said.
Amir added that previous election boycotts had brought no tangible results, prompting youth to come forward this time and vote for change. “We are supporting young leadership, not traditional politicians who have deceived the people for over 70 years,” he remarked.
Mudasir Dar, another voter from Palhallan, echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that the new representative would tackle unemployment and create new opportunities. “As a first-time voter, I feel a responsibility towards my village and my country. This election is our chance to voice our opinions and be part of the decision-making process,” he said.
For Fayaz Ahmad Mir, this election marked a return to the polls after 35 years of boycotting. “There has been no real development for decades. But after 2019, the assembly elections have reignited hope. We trust that the winning candidates will honour their promises,” Mir said. He emphasized the need for more government schemes to generate employment for local youth, adding, “My vote is precious, and I want to elect a good candidate.”
Nazneen, a young voter from Palhallan, said the community seeks real progress and development at the grassroots level. “We are voting for peace and positive change. For too long, we’ve faced problems without anyone to turn to. This election is a chance to resolve our issues,” she said, pointing out that access to quality education, employment, and infrastructure development were among the youth’s top concerns.
Mehraj Ahmad, a resident of Tantraypora Palhallan, reflected on the past election boycotts, saying they had only resulted in further marginalization. “We now realize that by boycotting, we silenced ourselves. By participating, we can demand the changes we desperately need, particularly in employment and infrastructure,” he said.
The District Administration of Baramulla made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of elections in the area, ensuring a peaceful polling process.
This election is the first major electoral exercise since the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in 2019.
