Srinagar: In the long queue of new voters at a polling booth in Srinagar was Safvan, an enthusiastic first-timer from the Rajbagh area of civil lines, hoping that his vote would bring about “great changes” in Kashmir.
Accompanied by his father to the polling station, Safvan was eager to exercise his right to vote for change even though he didn’t know much about the political process.
“My elders at home have instilled in me the belief that my single vote can make a difference and I want to exploit this opportunity to bring about a positive change,” the young voter told ‘Kashmir Images’.
“I don’t know much about what has transpired in Kashmir and don’t particularly want to know. All I know is that we would fall behind if we didn’t cast a ballot,” he added.
Another new voter from the Khanyar area of the old city, Shifa Showkat, claimed that “our votes are what represent us in the Parliament, not the candidate we chose”.
“Voting is democratic right of an individual and it has nothing to do with politics. Since I’m voting for the first time, therefore I’ll support the candidate with the clean record and the flawless public image,” Shifa told ‘Kashmir Images’.
She said that “exercising democratic right would put an end to all uncertainties in Kashmir and provide the people with representatives of their choice in the Parliament who would listen to their concerns and speak up.”
An animated adolescent from Budu Bagh Khanyar, Azan Khalid, claimed that voting would allow him to meet his matinee idols, Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, in person.
In response to the question whether he thought his vote would matter, he responded that it would since votes had the ability to determine a person’s destiny. “I am here because I have equal rights to choose the representative of my choice, and if my parents and grandparents can exercise their right to vote, why should I fall behind?” he said.
“It would be a great opportunity for the people of Kashmir to send a representative of their choice to the Parliament. One thing is certain: the ambiguity that has been prevalent for the last five years will end and our voices will be heard,” said Tamkeen Bilal, a first-timer from Baba Demb area.
“Not just in Srinagar, but I want a big turnout in other areas of Kashmir as well. I wish people would exercise their vote this time and send a person of their choosing to the Parliament,” she said after casting her ballot at Gandhi Memorial College.
