Srinagar/Pulwama, May 13: Tight security arrangements marked the commencement of voting in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, with over 17.4 lakh eligible voters poised to determine the fate of 24 candidates. This election marks the first major electoral event in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP government on August 5, 2019, and the subsequent division of the erstwhile state into two union territories, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The voters across the entire Srinagar parliamentary constituency, spanning five districts—Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal in central Kashmir, and Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir—were observed heading to polling stations early in the morning, according to officials. Polling commenced at 7 am across 2,135 polling stations in the constituency, progressing peacefully with no reports of untoward incidents, officials confirmed.
In Pulwama, voters were seen participating in the democratic process. At Samboora village, which was once a separatist stronghold, voting took place in a peaceful atmosphere. At the four polling stations located in Samboora Higher Secondary School, out of over 3400 registered voters, at least 71 had cast their votes in the first hour. A 45-year-old voter expressed his sentiment, stating, “I am voting for the safeguarding of our identity, which is under threat.”
Officials overseeing the polling stations anticipate a rise in voter turnout as the day progresses. Srinagar Returning Officer Bilal Mohi-ud-Din expressed optimism about a substantial voter turnout, urging citizens, particularly the youth, to exercise their democratic right and contribute to strengthening democracy.
The primary contest in the constituency features National Conference’s influential Shia leader Ruhullah Mehdi, Peoples Democratic Party’s youth leader Waheed Para—who is currently out on bail in a terror-related case—and Apni Party’s Mohammad Ashraf Mir. The absence of the BJP from three Kashmir seats for the first time in decades has drawn criticism.
Traditionally, Srinagar residents have refrained from voting due to separatist boycott calls. However, this time, with most separatist leaders either incarcerated or maintaining silence, the dynamics have shifted. Absent the threat of boycott, voter turnout is expected to surpass previous records in the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Srinagar witnessed a turnout of 14.43 percent.
A total of 17,47,810 voters are enrolled for the fourth phase, comprising 8,75,938 male voters, 8,71,808 female voters, alongside 64 third-gender electorates.
