Pulwama, Sep 18 (KNO): Elderly voters in south Kashmir's Pulwama and Shopian districts said they cast their votes for the employment of their children and the lowering of electricity bills.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) at various polling stations, elderly voters expressed concerns about the rising unemployment in J&K. They sought an employment package for the region.
Mohammad Shaban (60), a resident of the Chandgam area of Pulwama, told KNO that their qualified children have been waiting for jobs for years and are now close to exceeding the age limit for employment.
He said the prolonged unemployment has led to mental health issues for many and that thousands of qualified youth are facing similar struggles.
"I am voting so that our qualified youth will get jobs as soon as possible. The inflation has also burdened the poor, which needs to be addressed," he said.
Saleema Bano (58), another voter from the Zainapora area of Shopian, said they voted solely for the employment of their children and are hopeful that elected representatives will work to create more job opportunities.
Mohammad Akbar (65), a retired teacher from Pinglena, Pulwama, said that around 11 lakh youth are unemployed in J&K, and he voted with the hope that unemployed youth, present in almost every family, will secure jobs.
"Poor people have been suffering due to inflation and the frequent increases in electricity tariffs. Whoever wins must work on reducing electricity costs," he added.
Other elderly voters echoed similar sentiments, saying they voted for development and employment. "We have voted so that employment, resources, and other opportunities will be reserved for locals and to lower the unemployment rate," they said.
They expressed hope that their candidates would meet their expectations and address the real issues on the ground instead of misleading the assembly.
"For a long time, most politicians have misled us, but we hope that people across J&K will choose their candidates wisely so that genuine issues like unemployment and inflation will be resolved," they added—(KNO)