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Enthusiastic women voters stood in long queues at almost all every booth, including those that had seen a boycott in past elections. At some places, they outnumbered the men, and some waited in the cold for more than an hour before voting.
Raja Begum, 80, was among the first to vote at Saloora in Ganderbal. “It is my right. I have to choose the government and a representative who will solve our problems,” she said, adding it is after a long time that she is seeing enthusiasm among women voters.
“Earlier we used to vote for NC but we are now giving a chance to the party that has promised development,” Misra Begum said at Barsoo village. And Tasleema Akthar, 20, a first-timer, said, “I am not afraid of voting. This is to secure my future and for development of my area.”
In Bandipore constituency, Naseema, 35, said nobody has paid attention to the poll boycott call given by separatist leaders. “I think the boycott call has failed,” she said.