Mubashir Aalam Wani
Kupwara, Oct 1: The polling stations in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district witnessed the poll fervor on Tuesday while the women voters outnumbered the men electorates at the booths at multiple places, indicating much enthusiasm among the females in the democratic process.
The female participation in the democratic process was visible at the polling stations in northern district today as unlike men, the large queues of women were witnessed at the polling booths, who turned up with high hopes.
The women voters had high hopes for their candidates, who they voted for today in the last and third phase of the assembly elections.
Hajira Begum, an elderly woman at Trehgam polling booth, said they have high hopes on the candidate they voted for in this election, saying that the previous representatives have failed to come up to their expectations as they never looked back at their miseries and sufferings after getting votes from them.
Echoing similar views, Zoona Begum, said there are many issues that women are facing in day-to-day lives, which has become the reason for them to turn up at the polling booths this time to ensure a change.
“Despite having enough resources, the people across Kashmir are still being forced to face hardships in absence of adequate drinking water supply and power paucity. The womenfolk are bearing this brunt most and thus they vote enthusiastically in this election with a hope that such issues will come to an end,” she said.
Not only the elderly, but the young lady voters too participated in the polls with fervor. For the young female voters, there are multiple reasons for turning up at the polling booths, which include the jobs, quality education and the measures for women empowerment as well.
“The literacy rate amongst the women has increased, but unfortunately the unemployment at the same time is also up. We have no clues where we are heading. Therefore, we have voted today to choose a right candidate, who can shape the future of youngsters after winning the polls,” echoed many young voters at different polling booths in Trehgam, Handwara, Langate and Kupwara assembly segments.
Pertinently, the third and last phase of assembly elections was held today across 40 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir while the counting of votes will take place on October 08.
