PULWAMA — In the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, voting for the Srinagar parliamentary seat marked a significant milestone since the abrogation of Article 370, as hundreds of young voters exercised their right to vote for the first time.
Dr Talat Majeed, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district, who recently joined Altaf Bukhari’s political party (Apni Party), participated in the election process by casting his vote.
Following his vote, Dr Majeed emphasized the importance of the election in showcasing the Kashmiri people’s commitment to democracy. “This election process will answer those people who were claiming that the future of Kashmiris was not secure with India,” he stated, noting the significant shift in the political landscape post the Article 370 abrogation.
Dr Majeed highlighted the increased participation of youth in the democratic process, a departure from previous trends where they were often sidelined. He expressed optimism for future elections, anticipating even higher voter turnout.
Responding to queries about the increased election frequency, Dr Majeed explained, “Compared to the assembly elections, the voting rate is generally lower in the parliamentary elections, but this time, the percentage of voting has increased in these parliamentary elections,” suggesting a positive trend for upcoming assembly elections.
As the political scenario continues to evolve in Kashmir, Dr Majeed’s remarks highlight the growing engagement of Kashmiri youth in shaping the region’s democratic future.
