NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 18 (NVI): Amid great enthusiasm among the voters including those voting for the first time, voting is underway for 24 Assembly segments with multi-tier security cover in place with first time voters looking more jubilant than elderly ones.
The voting began at 7 a.m in the seven districts of J&K with serpentine queues outside polling booths. Men, women and first time voters were waiting for their turn to excercise their franchise.
“This is my first vote and my vote is for a change. My vote is for a person who can work for our constituency,” said Adil Rashid, who turned 19, in February this year. He was waiting in the long queue outside a polling station in Pampore Assembly constituency to cast his vote.
The administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful polling across J&K. In Pampore, there is a direct contest between National Conference candidate Justice (Rtd) Hasnain Masoodi and PDP’s Zahoor Mir even as traders are also feilded an independent candidate Muhammad Maqbool who is all set to get a sizeable vote share.
At majority of the places in Pampore, long queues were found with voting in full swing.
In Pulwama, once a hot bed of militancy, polling was no less than a festival. People including women, young women and first time male voters were seen heading towards respective polling booths to cast their votes.
“Forget stones, its time to use vote power. We want a candidate who can work for us tomorrow,” said Rayees Ahmed, 22. “I have never votes in my life but I have realised the power of vote and it’s time to cash in. ”
Jubilant elderly voters at Pulawama told NVI that they are voting for a party that can bring back their honour and dignity. “Hope our vote works, ” said Abdul Jabbar, of Kakapora, Pulwama. “There are no guns and explosions now. Vote is the biggest weapon for us and we have used it. It is pertinent to mention that today voting is taking place for phase first of the three phased Assembly polls that are taking place after a decade in J&K.” (News Vibes of India)
