‘We’re no longer silent; we want change’
Baramulla: As a shift from past electoral boycotts, Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday witnessed an overwhelming turnout as voters stood in long queues, eager to cast their ballots.Pattan, once known for near-empty polling stations, today saw its people embrace the power of democracy, marking a transformation that pushed people to come out from their homes and choose the ballot over boycott.Polling stations were filled with the whispers and chatter of voters, as young and old lined up patiently to vote. By mid-afternoon at Reshipora in Kreeri, 450 out of 957 registered voters had already exercised their right, a sign of the changed mood.Also, in Fateipora, Sherwani Colony, 215 out of 985 voters had cast their ballots by 3 PM, a strong contrast to the near-total boycott in previous elections.For the people of Pattan, today was about more than just voting—it was about reclaiming their place in the democratic process, voters said.Rayees, waiting in the queue, said, “We were once ignored, but today we stand tall. I am here because I want a better future for my family, for my community, and we deserve to be heard.”At the Pattan segment, youngsters, in particular, played a vital role, as the queues were filled with young voters.Aamir Malik, a university student, said, “Just a few years ago, this place barely had any voters. Today, it feels like we have come together to send a message. We are no longer silent; we want change.”Abdul Qayoom, an elderly voter in his 70s, coming out of a polling station in Pattan after casting his ballot, said he had never seen so many people at the polling station.“Here in Pattan, people have mostly boycotted elections in the past because we felt betrayed, but today, there is hope, and we feel our voices matter again,” he said.Polling stations like the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Shingora and Government Middle School in Kanispora were buzzing with activity. “At the climax of the day, the polling station was busy with voters coming in and out, as about 2,000-plus voters out of 3,000 had cast their ballots. People came in heavy numbers, and the long queues remained patient,” the locals said.In the past, Pattan’s disengagement from elections was a reflection of the broader political disillusionment in the region. According to locals, many felt their votes had no impact, leading to widespread boycotts in both parliamentary and assembly elections of the past. However, the 2024 assembly elections have ushered in a new era, with large queues seen, and as the day ends, Pattan-13 recorded 60% total voting—(KNO)
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