Sopore, Oct 1: The Sopore assembly constituency, traditionally known for its electoral boycotts, witnessed a significant voter turnout during the third phase of assembly elections.At various polling booths, the elders after casting their votes said that they voted to restore their lost dignity.With the abrogation of Article 370, our rights have been snatched. Our local parties are seeking to restore the lost dignity and we are supporting their mission,” an elderly voter in the Nowpora area of Sopore said.The voters of all age groups were united in their call for the “restoration of Kashmir’s dignity and identity”.This time development is secondary, but we are casting our vote to restore statehood and our identity,” another voter said.According to the voters, assembly elections conducted after a gap of 10 years have rekindled hopes for the restoration of statehood.“Restoration of statehood and the constitutional protections that once safeguarded their rights is a must for us. Other issues like rising unemployment and the lack of opportunities for the youth also need to be addressed,” the voter at the Nowpora polling booth said.The young and first-time voters at a polling booth in Maharajpora in Sopore said that siding with the boycott did not yield any result and rather pushed the youth towards darker days.“Now we have come forward and voted for our candidate and we hope that the rising issue of unemployment and lack of basic amenities in our areas will be addressed,” Irshad Ahmad, a first-time voter said. “We have also participated in elections this time to elect the candidate from town. We want a change in the future.”Ghulam Rasool Dar of Nowpora stressed the importance of representation and self-governance.“We have been voiceless for so long, but these elections have brought new hopes and people have now realised the need for change,” Dar said.Aijaz Masoodi of Sopore said participation in elections was a must to secure a prosperous future for the younger generation.“The job security and opportunities for our children depend on having our own government. We cannot think of progress without having our own local government,” Masoodi said.The voters at Nowpora were seen passionately participating in elections expecting a change and a better tomorrow.“We cannot blame anyone for ignoring our area because the majority of people sided with the boycott and we had no right to seek favours from representatives,” Ghulam Rasool Tantray, an elderly voter, said.He said that wasting a vote was foolishness as it backfires on people after results are declared.“If we do not vote during elections, we will not get the representative of our choice. So, this time we have voted to elect the deserving candidate who will come up to our expectations. If the candidates change their behaviour after winning the election, he will face the wrath of people here,” Tantray said
