JAMMU, APRIL 18: Brimming with enthusiasm senior citizens and first-time voters turned up en-mass at polling stations to exercise their franchise as Jammu and Kashmir entered second phase of Lok Sabha elections, here today.
In the second phase of General Elections, two Parliamentary Constituencies of Srinagar spread over 3 districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam, and Udhampur Parliamentary constituency, comprising Udhampur, Ramban, Reasi, Kathua, Doda and Kishtwar went to polls today.
In the early morning, the ambience was appropriate for voters as weather was more favorable and provoking to vote.
In Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency’s Ganderbal district, Dardwooder and Wangath polling stations in Kangan Assembly segment witnessed huge voter turn-out. The long queues of voters of all age groups and backgrounds were seen eagerly waiting to cast their votes.
Similarly, in Durbal Bemina-A of Budgam Assembly Segment, people, irrespective of their gender, were seen thronging polling booths from the early hours of polling. Of total 846 votes, 738 votes, including 340 male and 398 female votes, were polled in the Durbal Bemina, exhibiting their firm faith in democracy.
Similar scenes were witnessed in rest of the constituency especially in Eidgah, Zadibal and Hazratbal, where people came out in significant numbers to exercise their right.
At Chadoora, Chrar-i-Shareef and several other areas of Budgam district, though the second phase of parliamentary elections began on a slow note but it gradually picked pace in later hours.
The elections were marked by the enthusiasm of first time voters, who were excited to get their fingers inked. At number of places, the youngsters were very excited to have exercised their franchise.
Mohammed Yasin and Aaqib Ahmad, both 19-year-old were among the first time voters at Badipora in Chrar-i-Shareef.
“I was waiting for this day for many months. I had always been watching people casting their vote and my wish was that one day I will also be able to push the button of the electronic voting machine,” said visibly happy Yasin.
Aaqib too expressed similar feelings and recounted how the two had registered in the electoral rolls together. “We came to the polling station early in the morning and were excited to cast our vote,” said Aaqib.
In Srinagar’s Fakir Gujri area, festive scenes were witnessed where voters in huge numbers came out for voting.
In Hiranagar Assembly segment of Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency, smooth polling was recorded across most of the polling stations.
The first time voters in this segment were seen in healthy numbers replete with fervor making this democratic exercise no less than a festival.
In this segment, brisk polling was recorded in Ghagwal, Hiranagar and Kootah polling stations. Long queues of voters were seen across all these polling stations comprising old and young, men and women and specially-abled persons.
Interestingly, in Hiranagar Assembly segment, elderly women voters took lead over their men counterparts.
98-year- old Gyano Devi cast her vote at Ghagwal polling station of in early hours of voting.
Similarly, Purani Devi (88), Sukhdevi (90) and Indra Devi (85) exercised their right to franchise at different polling stations across this segment.
For 20-year–old Roshan Lal, a specially-abled voter, who was accompanied by his father Madan Lal choosing his representative was national duty.
He cast his vote at Hiranagar polling station. He was visibly excited as he used the ballot exercise for the first time.
For Isher Kour, 101, casting her vote was reminisce of her youthful days when she used to wait for hours in long queues to cast her ballot.
