Barik Hilal Zargar
In a remarkable turn of events, the town of Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir, historically known for low voter participation and strong separatist sentiments, witnessed an unprecedented surge in voter turnout during the 2024 parliamentary and assembly elections. This significant increase marks a pivotal moment in the region’s democratic journey, reflecting a shift towards mainstream political processes and a departure from the longstanding culture of election boycotts. For decades, Sopore had been the center of separatist influence: elections were either marred by boycott calls or militant threats. However, on this occasion, the elections displayed a stark contradiction to this trend, as electors came in record numbers and exercised their rights in a more democratic manner than ever before in the region, which is historical and also marks a strong shift in political consciousness.
Sopore has been the constituency with the lowest voter turnouts in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2014, the assembly election witnessed a voter turnout in the three northern districts of Kashmir: Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara that was nearly 5% lower than in 2008. Particularly, Sopore recorded voting percentages that were extremely low in comparison, indicative of separatist influences and the public’s general disillusionment with the electoral process. The 2019 parliamentary elections were no exception; the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which includes Sopore, saw a voter turnout of as low as about 34%. Fear of violence and the established boycott culture led the voters away from the polling stations, believing that elections would not impact their lives.
The 2024 parliamentary elections heralded the start of an epochal shift in Sopore’s politics. The region witnessed signs of increased electoral participation for the first time in decades. Exact figures for Sopore’s voter turnout are not in the public domain, but the overall voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir is reported at 58.58%, which has risen considerably from previous elections. This was a growing trend of democratic participation and proved to be a political sea change for places like Sopore, where the electorate had been increasingly apathetic for years. The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, in which Sopore falls, also enjoyed higher voter turnout, showing that more people than ever before wanted to take part in electoral processes. Analysts point to better security, outreach by the government, and a change in generational outlook in politics as factors for this change.
But the real story is during the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, where Sopore experienced an unprecedented turnout of voters. Unlike earlier years, when most polling stations remained deserted, the enthusiasm was visible this time around. In fact, for Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara, the voting percentage had reached an approximate of 60%. Then Sopore saw a very astonishing voting turnout of 45.32%. Comparatively to earlier polls, it has drastically changed. As the participation did not cross the single-digit marks even before. It showed during the elections also as Jammu & Kashmir National Conference candidate Irshad Rasool Kar came out to be victorious in getting 26,975 votes. The second position was occupied by independent candidate Mursaleen Aajir with 6,619 votes, clearly showing that there was a sharply contested political fight in a place that had always been on the electoral periphery.
To truly appreciate the scale of this transformation, it is essential to compare the 2024 turnout with previous election cycles. In the 2008 Assembly elections, Sopore recorded abysmal voter participation, with some areas reporting figures below 10%. The 2014 elections had a slightly higher turnout, though still lagging far behind the state average, as disillusionment with the electoral process continued to keep public support well behind. In stark contrast, the 2024 elections have demolished all previous records, making this moment one of historic participation in voter involvement. The 45.32% assembly elections and an increased participation of voters in parliamentary polls indicate, beyond the numbers, a complete change in attitude of the masses of Sopore towards viewing elections as agents of change.
Several factors contribute to this phenomenon of a quantum leap in turnout. The foremost and most essential factor is a better security situation. In the last few years, authorities have made considerable efforts to reassure voters that they are safe to step out and exercise their vote. In sharp contrast to earlier elections, where militant threats and street violence deterred many voters from coming out, this time, polling stations remained peaceful that encouraged higher participation. Another important factor in this regard was the comprehensive voter awareness campaign launched by governments, civil society organizations, and local influencers. These campaigns focused on the education of people on the power of voting and how it impacts governance and development directly. The youth formed the backbone of this shift as they perceived participating in the electoral process as a stride toward more political representation and economic growth.
Political parties also helped bring about increased engagement through outreach efforts to the electorate and issues at hand. There always was the apprehension about the safety risk involved in the campaigning by the mainstream parties coupled with the deep-seated feeling of a total boycott of these elections in Sopore. Still, 2024 seemed to change everything. It had parties and individual candidates doing all sorts of activities, getting involved with people on local issues concerning development in their respective constituencies. Thus, they have bridged the gap between the people and the democratic mechanism. Another factor that has contributed to this rise in voter turnout is generational change. The younger population, which has grown up seeing both the conflict and developmental stagnation, seems more ready to participate in democratic processes than earlier generations. Their desire for better infrastructure, employment opportunities, and better governance has made them more inclined to vote than to reject the political system completely.
The impact of this historic voter turnout in Sopore goes beyond the numbers. It is a deep political narrative transformation that has taken place in the region. For all these years, Sopore was considered the town where election meant nothing at all, the calls for boycotting sounded louder than for governance. This time, in 2024, it proves that change can happen and how democratic engagement could redefine the future of a region. With stronger voter turnout, the political representation in Sopore will soon improve, developmental initiatives will grow stronger, and the accountability of those elected will be much more effective. This comes with a loud message proving the resilience of democracy in its capability to take the will of the people ahead, even when such times came when certain regions otherwise remained electorally disengaged.
Over and above being merely a statistic, Sopore’s increased voter turnout is a changed mindset. It actually symbolizes a belief in democracy as a means to progress and further movement away from the disillusionment that characterized the past. Despite these challenges, this election has opened up a future that will mark elections in Sopore and other similar regions. As the ballot option beats the boycott one, this actually strengthens democratic fiber in the land of Jammu and Kashmir towards a stronger stable and prospering future ahead.
