Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 25: In a unique initiative for the second phase of assembly elections, authorities established about eight floating polling stations on the iconic Dal Lake, specifically designed for voters residing in the lake and its interiors.
This effort aims to provide easier access to voting for residents in remote areas, such as Meer Behri Dal, where traditional polling stations are hard to reach by land, an official said.
The floating polling stations, including one at Nehru Park, reported good voter turnout, with a diverse mix of men, women and the elderly participating in the electoral process. This innovative approach, relatively rare in Kashmir, has made it much easier for residents to cast their votes without having to travel long distances to the other shore.
According to data collected by 3 pm, the Mir Mohalla Abi Karpora-A floating polling station had 782 registered voters—367 males and 361 females—with 150 votes cast.
Another station at Mir Mohalla Abi Karpora-B recorded 862 voters (469 male and 392 female), with 300 people voting. Similarly, a station in Interior Dal Lake had 1,045 voters (517 male and 528 female), with 350 casting their ballots.
The floating polling stations allow residents to vote directly from boats stationed in the lake, significantly reducing travel burdens.
Owais Ahmad, a 21-year-old first-time voter from the Dal Lake area, expressed his excitement at the Nehru Park station, saying, “It was a unique experience. I never thought I would be casting my vote here. It was convenient and well-organised. I hope this continues in the future. As a first-time voter, I hope the new government will focus on the development of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Muzaffar, a 32-year-old resident, praised the efforts made to ensure easy voting access for lake residents. “This shows the authorities’ commitment to making the election process accessible to everyone,” he said, adding that while he has voted before, this time “feels like a chance for change”. He hopes the incoming government will listen to the people and address their issues.
Floating polling stations have been commended for their accessibility and efficiency and for enabling greater voter participation in challenging regions.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said that the floating polling stations at Dal Lake are part of the 11,838 polling stations being set up across 9,169 locations in the valley. He termed these stations unique due to their geography.
