After decades of abstaining from voting, residents of Palhallan Pattan village in Baramulla, North Kashmir, actively participated in the recent elections. They aimed to secure the release of youth in jails.
Moderate polling took place at Government Higher Secondary Palhallan, with many former boycotters turning up to cast their votes. Mubashir Ahmad Lone expressed the need to end the silence and advocate for the incarcerated youth’s rights.
Riyaz Ahmad Wani emphasized giving those in jail a chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to the country. Despite past boycotts, voters recognized the importance of their votes in shaping their future.
Ghulam Rasool Khan, a first-time voter, highlighted the significance of these elections for their village’s progress and demanded development and employment opportunities.
In the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, a historic 59 percent voter turnout was recorded, marking a significant milestone without any violence reported during polling.
