Now for the IInd phase

On Tuesday, the second phase of polling takes place in JK. The first phase, with a turnout of nearly 47, has clearly indicated that this ro...

On Tuesday, the second phase of polling takes place in J038;K. The first phase, with a turnout of nearly 47, has clearly indicated that this round has gone in favour of the ballot over the bullet. But this should not lead to the complacency that is so endemic to our political and social culture. We should also avoid any rhetoric and self-praise until the entire process has been completed and its success made clear. There can be no denying that the credit for the victory of the ballot over the bullet should really go to the people of J038;K. After all, last Monday8217;s polling took place in 23 constituencies spread across five border districts. They were, therefore, very vulnerable to infiltration and terrorist violence. Despite this, the turnout in Kupwara, made notorious by terrorist killings for over a decade, and Poonch, exceeded 52 per cent. Kargil, of course, topped the table with 76 per cent voters exercising their franchise.

The United States, broadly indicating the judgement of the international community, has recognised the fairness of the electoral process so far. But the very success of the first phase could spell increasing dangers ahead. Reprisals by jehadi groups should be expected. Sure enough, the last few days have witnessed several strikes, with even schoolchildren being made targets of terrorist reprisal. The New York Times reports of jehadi organisations claiming that the Pakistan government has restarted facilitating infiltration across the Line of Control after July last, point to the reality that the war is far from over. In fact, the greater the success of the election process, the greater the risk of escalation of attacks from across the border. In any case, the impending elections in Pakistan could have the effect of adding domestic political fuel to the jehadi fire.

While the voter turnout thus far appears lower than the official figures for the 1996 elections, it is widely accepted that the process has been largely free and fair. Some lessons from the first phase, like the need to have more voting machines so as to reduce exposing voters to the ire of the terrorist, have already been learnt. Further precautions to protect the voters and their families would need to be instituted. The state is ultimately responsible for the security of the citizen. Providing that crucial security would enhance voter confidence in the institutions of the state, which have taken a severe beating in recent years thanks to abysmal governance and an insecure and violent climate created by cross-border terrorism.