Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said on Wednesday that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will come out and vote in large numbers as they are seeking restoration of their democratic rights.
Mir, who is contesting the polls from the Dooru constituency in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, said the intent behind voting is to “change Delhi’s rule” in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am casting my vote to change Delhi’s imposed rule on the people of J&K for the last ten years; the aim is to make J&K prosperous and feel happy,” said Mir after casting his ballot.
He added that the power of the vote will enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to seek their rights, restoration of statehood, protection of their land, and preference for jobs.
“The people are going to vote to seek the restoration of their land and job rights as well as for the restoration of statehood, and I feel people will come out in large numbers to vote,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CPI (M) leader and candidate for the Kulgam assembly constituency, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, said, “We welcome the elections. We also appreciate the Centre for ensuring a level playing field and tight security arrangements.”
“The electoral process has started, and without it, a vacuum was created. In the absence of polls, bureaucracy was gaining more power. People’s troubles were increasing every day. It was difficult to deal with daily problems. Now we are hoping for a change for relief and better days,” said the CPI (M) leader.
Voting on the first phase of the three-phase J&K assembly elections began early Wednesday morning, the elections are happening for the first time since Article 370 of the constitution which guaranteed the exclusive rights of the people of J&K was revoked by the centre in August 2019.
Twenty-four constituencies spread over seven districts of the UT are voting in the first phase of the elections amid stringent security arrangements.
The other two phases are being held on September 25 and October 1, while the votes will be counted on October 8.
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