Cautions optimism are the two words that could be used to describe the mood after the first phase of the historic J&K elections, which covered 23 assembly segments. The voter turnout, which is put at 44 per cent, could be seen as satisfactory, given the backdrop of fear and intimidation against which Monday’s elections took place. Two important points need to be noted about the exercise thus far. First, that while there were incidents of violence, including bomb blasts, rocket fire, the killing of one policeman and injuring of some civilians, the security forces were successful in generally securing the poll process. Second, there were no reports of voters being forced to cast their votes by security personnel — as was the case of 1996. Every vote cast, therefore, could be regarded as an authentic expression of democratic aspirations. Never was this more manifest than in certain constituencies like Nowshera in Rajouri district, which despite being located in an extremely sensitive region saw a surprisingly high voter turnout. This is a comment on the instinct of ordinary people to seize the moment and attempt to change the tragic reality that has come to mark their lives. Many of them may — like Ghulam Mohideen Sofi, the People’s Conference candidate from Handwara — even want azadi, but they see these elections as an important way to fight their cause. As Sofi put it in a conversation with this newspaper, those who have rejected these elections have no answer for the unending plight of the people in this region. Elections, then, for the many men and women who braved the bullets and threats yesterday, are an article of faith and an expression of hope. Think of this slogan that appeared on posters in some areas: Sarpanch ka sar nahin, panch ka darh nahin, aur voter ka ghar nahin (sarpanch, will lose his head; the panch, his body and the voter, his house). Then think of the courage it demanded in ordinary people to defy the threat it poses. These are, indeed, extraordinary times in the state and many have demonstrated extraordinary courage in walking to that polling booth. Of course, Monday saw only the first phase in this elaborate process. There are three more to be completed, including in regions fraught with tension like Srinagar, Anantnag and Doda. Great care and alertness are therefore called for as the minefield ahead is negotiated bit by bit. Yesterday’s strike call in the Valley to protest the polls and the increased Pakistani shelling at the border are indications of the hurdles that lie ahead. This is not just an battle for ballots, it is a battle for hearts and minds — let us remember this, above all.
