Elections not for political issues: Voters

“Political issues are for bigger platforms like the assembly or the Parliament. What role do the DDCs or for that matter panches and sarpanches have in framing laws. This is a small platform to address the developmental issues of the people at the local level,” 67-year-old Shareef-ud-Din said after voting at a polling booth in the district’s Thune area.

Zahida Begum, a voter at the Government Higher Secondary School in Hariganiwan, said she came out to vote to support a local candidate who could address day-to-day issues. “We have many issues that need attention. I do not know anything about Article 370, but I want the issues of our locality to be resolved,” she said. Juma Koswal, another voter, said that “bigger issues are for bigger parties to discuss”.