Mehbooba Mufti Raises Concerns Over Fairness**

Srinagar witnesses 23.57% turnout till 1 pm

||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh May 13, 2024||

**Highlights**

– Voting is underway for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir amidst significant security measures, marking a pivotal moment since the abrogation of Article 370.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has raised serious concerns about alleged harassment and arrests of her party workers, casting doubt on the fairness of the electoral process.

Low voter turnout historically in Srinagar has raised questions about youth participation and the value of democratic engagement.

**Srinagar:**

The battleground for the Srinagar Lok Sabha elections opened today amid heightened security and fervor, with voters braving long queues at polling booths in Pulwama and Ganderbal. This election holds particular significance as the first parliamentary poll post the abrogation of Article 370 in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The polling is not without controversy. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, in a press conference earlier today, raised serious allegations of voter intimidation and harassment directed towards her party workers. Mufti, a prominent political figure in the region, voiced concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, asserting that her party members are being targeted ahead of the polls.

I am deeply troubled by the reports of security agencies conducting raids and harassing PDP workers in Pulwama and Shopian districts,” stated Mufti in a letter addressed to the Election Commission. She likened the current situation to the politically fraught 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, suggesting that history is repeating itself with “rigged” elections that breed disillusionment.

Mufti’s concerns resonate against the backdrop of past electoral trends. Srinagar, infamous for a low 15.6% voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, has struggled to mobilize its youth electorate. However, voices like Mehraj Ahmad, a first-time voter, emphasize the imperative of political participation: “We never understood the power of our vote. But people have learned its value. I appeal to all the youth, do not waste your precious vote.”

In this electoral race, People’s Democratic Party candidate Waheed Ur Rehman Para faces off against Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. Notably, the BJP has not fielded a candidate for the seat, aligning instead with the National Conference through a Congress alliance.

The issue of voter harassment has intensified as the voting unfolds today. “Rather than arresting or victimizing our party workers, the authorities must ensure fair polls,” urged Mufti, calling for a restoration of faith in the democratic process.

As the Srinagar Lok Sabha polls progress, the region remains a focal point of political tension and democratic scrutiny. The allegations of voter intimidation by PDP add a layer of complexity to an already pivotal electoral landscape, underscoring the challenges of ensuring a free and fair vote in the troubled territory.

The Election Commission, tasked with upholding the sanctity of elections, now faces mounting pressure to address these allegations and safeguard the democratic aspirations of the people of Srinagar. The results of this election, due on June 4, will resonate beyond the borders of Jammu and Kashmir, shaping the narrative of democratic engagement and governance in the region.