As the voting for the fourth phase of elections commenced on Monday, May 13, everyone in Kashmir was curious about how the polling in the Srinagar constituency would go.
Despite speculations about the boycott, people in Kashmir voted in record numbers, with a 38% voter turnout in the fourth phase of the LS polls.
In prior elections, voter turnout was quite low; in 2004, it remained at 18.57%. Although the proportion increased by only a few percentage points in 2009 and 2014, turnout reached 25% on both occasions.
However, in 2019, the proportion declined dramatically to 7.90%, reflecting public displeasure with the imposition of governor control following the collapse of the flawed PDP-BJP coalition in 2018.
After Article 370 was withdrawn in 2019, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are a major political event in Kashmir.
From 2008 to 2017, Kashmir had back-to-back civil uprisings, including the 2008 Amarnath shrine board land rights, the 2010 Asiya, and the Neelofar alleged rape and murder case, in which numerous Indian army soldiers were accused.
Militant Commander Burhan Wani was killed by security troops during a confrontation in 2016. Protests erupted across the valley shortly after the encounter was reported. Several hundred individuals perished as a result of the troops' actions during these uprisings.
The shift from 2008 to 2024 is astounding, especially given that the same young people who would join militant ranks during that terrible cycle of bloodshed are now considering joining political parties.
Voting for improved representation in parliament by sending democratically elected representatives to address their problems.
Political observers in Kashmir say there are numerous fundamental reasons why people trust ballots over gunfire.
One example is the increasing number of bureaucrats in Indian administrative services, as well as Kashmiri students passing important civil service examinations.
Another key aspect is public dissatisfaction with the current BJP; some young people have stated that they do not want the BJP to return to Jammu and Kashmir.
There are also some who do not support any party and don't care who wins or loses the election.
They are voting to ensure that the BJP does not find a way to enter Kashmir politics. This approach will boost the regional parties, particularly the JKNC and PDP.
Mainstream political parties, particularly the JKNC and PDP, have consistently urged people to vote against the BJP and voice their outrage by casting their ballots.
Unexpectedly, political leaders' pleas appear to have struck a chord with Kashmiris, who have conveyed their desire via ballet.
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