The elections for state Assembly are underway and the first two phases of polling have seen a massive turn-out. The election campaign this year has been very hectic and even polarizing and most major political parties have spent a lot of money on their campaigns. The campaign has been high decibel and what has added to the drama of this process is an ever growing electronic and social media which reports and magnifies each event, howsoever insignificant it maybe. This campaign, especially by the BJP has seen advertising and marketing blitzkrieg which has never been witnessed in the past.
Kashmiris, recovering from the brunt of devastating floods as usual faced the old dilemma: to vote or not to vote. The Hurriyat Conference (G) had given a call to boycott elections. However true to their unpredictable nature people thronged polling booths in the first round of elections recording a 72 percent voting. It is massive voting percentage given that during the last many Assembly and parliamentary elections, lower voter turnout was recorded. It was also widely believed that given the inept handling of the flood situation, this election would see a higher voter turnout as voters needed to give vent to their frustration with the ruling clique.
In the complex situation that Kashmir is in, it is very difficult to pinpoint exactly why such big voter turnout happened in the first two phases of elections. But one could possibly attribute it to multiple reasons.
The major being the incumbent Govt led by the National Conference has been seen as very inefficient Govt by the people in the valley. Its indifference to peoples day today problems borders on hubris. A lot of expectations were vested in Omar Abdullah who being a young Chief Minister was expected to bring in fresh ideas and also lead a Govt which would be less corrupt. But during these last five years under this administration, Kashmir has not only seen a bloodbath in the first two years, but also a worsening of infrastructure, education and healthcare.
Kashmiris never expected the Kashmir issue to be resolved by being a part of the electoral process, but by voting a Govt to power through the ballot, Kashmiris expected that their daily issues would be taken care of. But that was not to be.
The separatists on their part should also stop using the failed tactics of election boycotts. However low turnout elections would witness, a Govt would be formed anyway. In 1996, the National conference came to power, when sub ten percent voting was recorded in the valley. Separatists need to realize the folly of such tactics and come out with a more clear and pragmatic plan of action. It is also sad to notice that many innocent Kashmiris have lost their lives even during this election as well. It should be left to people whether they go out to vote or not. No political formation should have any say in that.
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