Rehan Qayoom Mir | Sajad Ahmad Bhat
Baramulla, Oct 01: The assembly elections in the Gulmarg-11 constituency witnessed an overwhelming turnout of 64% as residents from across Kunzar, Tangmarg and its adjoining areas cast their votes, pinning their hopes on much-needed development and change.
By the end of the day, the high voter turnout showed strong emotions running through the area, with many locals viewing this election as a critical moment for their future.
According to the details obtained by the news agency; at Polling Station 50 in Ferozpora C, with 859 registered voters, 377 people had already cast their ballots by noon, with lines forming early in the morning.
Voters, young and old, braved the age gap as they united in their demand for a better life. From Chandilora to Hariwatnoo, from Batpora to Treran, the people of Kunzar came together in a display of hope, yearning for change.
Abdul Rashid, a resident of Chandilora, spoke with visible emotion. He told KNO that he reflected on the challenges his community has faced. “We have been waiting for years, hoping someone would listen to us. Our roads are broken, our schools don’t have enough teachers, and our hospitals are under-equipped. This vote is not just about electing a representative – it’s about our survival, our dignity,” he said.
In Kunzar’s main town, where Polling Station 60 saw 201 out of 669 registered voters casting their ballots by early afternoon, the mood was similar.
The streets of Kunzar, which serve as the gateway to the world-famous tourist destination of Gulmarg, were filled with the buzz of anticipation. Young men, elders, and women, many of whom had never voted before, joined the lines, eager to have their say in shaping their future.
Shakeela Begum, a mother of four from Hariwatnoo, stood in line with her eldest daughter beside her, clutching her mother’s hand. Shakeela said she wants her children to grow up in a place where they don’t have to fight for basic things like clean water and proper healthcare. “We have been forgotten by those in power for too long. This vote is for them – for their future,” she added.
Also, in Polling Station 61 in Batpora, with 815 registered voters, more than 500 votes were recorded by the end of the afternoon. Locals said each vote was cast with the hope that this election could finally bring progress to an area that has long been ignored.
Meanwhile, the sentiment was echoed in other parts of Kunzar, where residents spoke about their struggles with unemployment, poor infrastructure, and lack of opportunities for the youth.
Fatima, a first-time voter from Kunzar, shared her thoughts, saying, “This is my chance to make a difference. For too long, we have been living in the shadows of promises that were never kept. I am voting for jobs, for proper roads, for a future where young people like me don’t have to leave our homes to find a better life,” she said, as she came out after placing her vote into the ballot box.
By midday, the overall voter turnout in Baramulla stood at 23%, with Gulmarg-11 leading at 25%. As the hours passed, these numbers surged, and by the end of the day, Gulmarg-11 reached 64.19%, with the overall voter percentage climbing to 65% for the third phase.
