Let’s celebrate, exercise franchise

For the first time in last several decades, the polling in the Valley, especially in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital, Srinagar, is going to witness a festive atmosphere during the elections as unlike the past, the stone pelting and other issues like the boycott calls have come to an end, providing a peaceful and fearless environment for the voters to cast their ballots. Srinagar in the past has witnessed less voter turnout always during the elections, but with the election fervor marking the rallies and road shows even in the once volatile, downtown areas, gives an indication that the people will come out of their homes in large numbers to cast their ballot. Moreover, the campaign launched across J&K under Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Programme has further created voter awareness among the masses, who are joining the political programmes without any fear and also are enthusiastic to join the exercise to further strengthen the democracy. There are many expectations this year that a huge voter turnout will be witnessed in the three Lok Sabha constituencies. One of the constituencies is going for voting on May 13 in which over 17.4 lakh voters will be casting their ballots to decide the fate of 24 candidates. Amidst the expectations, the poll body here has further taken measures to ensure festive atmosphere on the polling day by preparing 32 theme-based polling booths that are colour-coordinated in Srinagar district. It is the time to celebrate and the people should turn up at the polling booths to exercise their franchise in large numbers.