Opinion | Social & Political Impact of Elections in Kashmir.

After a prolonged period of governor’s rule, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the return of popular governance through a successfully conducted electoral process. Elections are the selection of public representatives who work at the grassroots level, which is the main pillar of democracy, as people choose their leaders through the ballot or voting. The recently concluded elections in Jammu and Kashmir have ushered in a new political era, marking a turning point in the region’s governance system as well as its social structure. These elections were not only an exercise in democracy but held both symbolic and practical value for a region that has long been marked by political uncertainty and socio-economic challenges. The new government is likely to shape the future of Kashmir’s politics, along with fostering economic development and social harmony.

Elections are often seen purely as a political process, but at their core, they are deeply social in nature because they involve the participation of people from all sections of society. The political system is fundamentally shaped by the social structure, as it reflects the needs, aspirations, and values of the population. In turn, the social structure helps define the political setup. Both social and political structures are interconnected, working together to drive the progress of a nation.

Holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir has always been a challenging task due to deep-rooted violence, turmoil, and the election boycott process, which hampered social progress due to the lack of local governance. Local governance, as defined by our constitution, is “of the people, for the people, and by the people.” However, this electoral process was disrupted and not fully exercised due to the violence in Kashmir. Since the abrogation of Article 370, there has been minimal violence and significant public participation in elections, with no boycotts or violence, providing new opportunities for the younger generation in the political sphere.

Thus, elections have always been important to conduct, and participation is crucial. This year, after a long time, both the smooth conduct of elections and high participation were achieved, which is a significant success and will have a lasting impact on shaping the region’s governance, development, and social fabric.

Political Impact: Velley, especially, has been in the news for a long time regarding its electoral process, which at times has been critical and questioned in India. It has witnessed major crises and turmoil, leading to doubts about the possibility of holding elections. However, thanks to the support of the Indian Army and other security forces, elections were made possible. Their efforts to restore peace and eliminate violence were key factors in enabling such high participation in the election and strengthening the social structure. The restoration of the political process has been a significant success, bringing governance to the doorstep of common people and providing them with a new opportunity to represent their aspirations in their constituencies.

After a prolonged period of undemocratic governance, the restoration of the democratic process was essential. These elections have reestablished government in Kashmir, allowing people to elect their representatives. This strengthens democratic institutions and offers legitimacy to governance. It has also empowered local leaders and brought political stability, creating space for new political leaders, youth leaders, and increased participation by regional parties. This will make the people’s mandate more effective, vibrant, and impactful.

Social Impact: Political affiliations are directly involved with the social setup, and both must go together. These elections have strengthened the social structure and made civic participation in the political process and social fabric more people-oriented. These elections have encouraged greater citizen participation in the democratic process, fostering a sense of empowerment and responsibility among the people. The exercise of voting becomes not just about selecting leaders but also about affirming trust in the democratic system. This structure makes social responsibility more visible and representation more vibrant. The formation of a new government brings hope for increased social harmony. Addressing local concerns such as unemployment, infrastructure, and healthcare can bridge gaps between communities and foster unity, especially in a region that has seen social divisions and unrest.

Various sectors will be identified at the social level, and developmental work will be conducted smoothly due to local representation. Agriculture and handicrafts, which form the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, will boost the social landscape of the state. This election has become historic in many ways: first, it was conducted after a long period of governor’s rule; second, it was held without violence or boycotts; third, those who had previously boycotted the elections participated; and lastly, there was significant participation from women, which, alongside the participation of youth, was a grand success.

Thus, the political process in the state has activated the social process and made democratic institutions more credible, which serves as the best example of India as the largest democratic country in the world. Now that a popular government is in place and has obtained a majority, it must maintain the integrity of the social structure. The social structure involves everything: peace, dignity, business, education, the economy, and the integrity of the state, along with other social obligations.

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