Pahalgam, May 25: In the Ganeshpora area of Pahalgam, a significant number of young voters chose the None of the Above (NOTA) option on Saturday, expressing their dissatisfaction with the lack of development in their areas.
This move highlights the deep-seated frustration among the youth, who feel neglected and overlooked by political representatives.
At polling stations in Ganeshpora, youth turnout was high, but many young voters opted for NOTA to make a statement.
“We have seen no development in our area for years,” said Adul Lalief, 28. “We have good education, but no job opportunities, no infrastructure improvements, and no proper healthcare facilities. Choosing NOTA is our way of saying that we are tired of empty promises.”
Nasir Malik, another voter, said: “Every election, candidates come and make big promises, but nothing changes after they win. Our roads are still in terrible condition. There is no proper supply of electricity and the unemployment rate is soaring. We are using NOTA to show that we need real, tangible change.”
The lack of development in the area has particularly impacted the youth, who see their futures dimming without job opportunities and basic amenities.
“We completed our education with high hopes, but now we are stuck at home without jobs,” said Shaheena, another voter. “There are no vocational training centres or skill development programmes. We need leaders who will invest in our future.”
The decision to use NOTA was not made lightly.
Many young voters spent weeks discussing and debating the best way to voice their frustrations.
“We want to send a clear message to the politicians,” said Sajid Ahmad. “If they don’t take our issues seriously, they won’t get our votes. We are demanding accountability and action.”
Muhammad Ashraf, a retired government official, said, “Using NOTA is a powerful statement, but we also need to engage with our representatives and hold them accountable. We should push for regular dialogue with our elected officials and ensure they follow through on their promises.”
The strong turnout and the significant use of NOTA in Ganeshpora highlight a broader trend of disillusionment among the youth.
“Today our youth of Ganeshpora are not willing to settle for empty promises. They demand development, job opportunities, and better living conditions. By choosing NOTA, they have sent a resounding message that it is time for real change, and they will no longer be silent about their demands,” said another group of voters. “We are the future. It’s high time our voices are heard, and our issues addressed. If not now, when?”
Auqib Salam adds to the report from Pahalgam
Huddled together in groups, youth in various Pahalgam villages eagerly awaited to cast their votes.
Many of them, including first-time voters, alleged that despite being a stone’s throw away from the famous tourist destination, their access to business opportunities in Pahalgam has been blocked, and that is their motive to vote this time.
The youth in villages like Batkote, Ganeshpora or Hardu Kichru said that they want government to make the unemployed youth of their villages, part of the business opportunities arising from Pahalgam.
“Be it a taxi stand or business outlets, our youth are always pushed away from being part of businesses, and this is because we don’t have anyone who can speak for us. Through our voting, we want to change that, and as we got this opportunity, we don’t want to waste it,” said Javaid Ahmad, a local from Batkote village in Pahalgam.
These youth said that if they want to be a simple pony wala or shawl seller in Pahalgam, their villagers are always driven away for one or the other reason.
They said that when it comes to demolition drives in the name of rules or other problems, the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) is at the forefront.
“However, when we talk about giving us the opportunity so that we can also open a business there and earn, we are driven away. As youth we are frustrated,” said another youth.
Expressing their grievances, they said that with a lack of basic facilities like access to the hospital, they have to travel to Pahalgam because of the proximity to the place.
“Even for a hospital visit, we are asked to pay Rs 40 toll as if we are outsiders? We want to change this and that is why I and my friends have decided to vote,” said Faisal Ahmad.
The youth said that hotels, handcraft outlets, and other opportunities were booming with the rise in tourism, but they had been kept in the dark despite being a few kilometres away from Pahalgam.
“Some time back we made a youth group for the welfare of people that was also objected to. This is because youth has no representation. We are voting for our candidate who has promised us that he will listen to our demands,” said another group of youth in Batkote.
As some youth were excited to vote, many youth in these villages said that they would go for the NOTA option.
They said they felt hopeless and did not want to cast their vote for the wrong candidate.