Tral voters choose ballots over boycotts, seek employment & dev

Tral, Sept 18: As J&K witnessed the first phase of polling in the 24 Constituencies on Wednesday, a notable shift was observed in Tral hamlets of Pulwama district, where many residents, who had previously boycotted elections, chose to vote this time around. Their primary focus was on demanding employment opportunities, development, and improvements in basic amenities.
Polling stations across Tral witnessed long queues from early morning, reflecting a high level of engagement among local youth and women. This enthusiasm underscores a growing desire for development in the region.
Tajamul Hussain, a resident of Dadsara Tral, expressed a collective shift in perspective. “We used to boycott the elections, but this time, our entire family voted for development,” he told Rising Kashmir. Hussain highlighted the pressing issue of unemployment among educated youth, emphasizing that the current elections are seen as a crucial opportunity for addressing such concerns. “Boycotting elections has not yielded any results. We want to actively participate and hope our candidates will tackle unemployment, poverty, and the issues faced by local farmers,” he added.
Ghulam Nabi from Lurgam hamlet echoed similar sentiments, noting that the increased participation of youth could potentially lead to improvements in the Kashmir region. “We hope that employment schemes for youth will be introduced. The rise in unemployment is alarming, and we expect our candidate to advocate for new job opportunities,” he said. Nabi also emphasized the need for developing and upgrading tourist spots in Tral, advocating for young leadership over traditional politicians.
First-time voter Ishfaq Ali from Main town Tral expressed a renewed sense of hope. “After 2019, these assembly elections have ignited a ray of hope. We are hopeful that the winning candidates will remember their promises,” he said. Ali stressed that boycotting elections is counterproductive, asserting that participation is essential for progress and development. “We want to see tangible improvements rather than engaging in political rhetoric,” he added.
Bhat, another first-time voter, shared his belief that voting represents a chance for real change. “We have been neglected for too long, and it’s time to take our future into our own hands,” he said. Bhat acknowledged that previous boycotts only served to silence their voices further and expressed optimism about demanding necessary changes, particularly in employment and infrastructure.
The district administration of Pulwama ensured smooth electoral arrangements in the area. This election marks a significant moment as it is the first major electoral battle following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in 2019.