Srinagar, Oct 1: In a remarkable display of civic engagement, elderly voters, including centenarians, were among those leading the charge during the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Amidst crowds of enthusiastic voters, a 100-year-old woman, Mala Begum, from Bandipora, became a symbol of democracy’s enduring spirit by casting her vote.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) took to social media platform X to honor Mala Begum’s contribution, posting: “100 Years Strong! VoiceYourChoiceMala Begum, a Centenarian voter, sets an inspiring example by casting her vote at a polling station in Bandipora. Democracy’s Indomitable Spirit Shines Through!”
The ECI continued to encourage voters with their “Happy Voting Day” message, celebrating Jashn-e-Jamhuriyat as the polls unfolded across 40 constituencies in both the Jammu and Kashmir regions on Tuesday.
Not far behind in demonstrating voter spirit was 95-year-old Bal Krishan, who cast his vote at a PwD-managed polling station in Udhampur. He praised the election body for ensuring all necessary facilities were provided for elderly and disabled voters.
Kamala Devi, aged 96, also made her mark, voting at polling station 102 in Vijaypur. The ECI praised her efforts, posting: “Inspirational! 96-year-old Kamala Devi casts her vote. Her strong spirit for voting in democracy is truly inspiring.”
Shakuntla Devi, an 80-year-old voter, joined in the enthusiasm, casting her ballot at a women-manned polling station in Samba. Her participation was also highlighted by the ECI with a post: “Voting Spirit! Meet Smt. Shakuntla Devi, an inspiring 80-year-old voter proud to be part of democracy.”
This election marks a historic moment, being the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the first in a decade. The 90-seat contest has seen major political players like the National Conference-Congress alliance, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) battle it out across the three phases.
The first phase saw a 61% voter turnout, while the second recorded 57.31%. The final results will be declared on October 8, as Jammu and Kashmir looks forward to its next elected government.
Centenarians lead the charge in Jashn-e-Jamhuriyat’s final voting phase
