Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Oct 28 : For the first time in the last half a century, the gold jewellers in Srinagar have used the ballot paper system in elections for the union to elect the new body.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the union elections were held at Bohri Kadal in Srinagar.
The jewellers said that this kind of election is being held by them after a gap of around 50 years ago, where members of the Gold Jewellers Association of Kashmir gathered to elect their new president.
Jewellers on the occasion said that they were excited as they had assembled to participate in this significant event, bringing back the spirit of electing their representative in a democratic way.
The Gold Jewellers Association said that they, under the forum of Anjuman-e-Zargaran, organized the election to select its President through a formal voting process for the first time in decades.
“The atmosphere mirrors the formality of state and national elections, with strict protocols in place. Voters are issued slips bearing their serial numbers and shop names, which are carefully cross-checked by polling agents before they receive their ballot paper,” jewellers said.
They said this formal election procedure has drawn attention due to the meticulous organization, aimed at the transparency and trustworthiness of the process. They said that the competition was head-to-head, with two candidates vying for the president’s position.
According to them, over 500 jewellers were expected to vote, with all registered members eligible to cast their ballots.
According to polling agents, the procedures in place ensured complete anonymity, with ballot boxes set up to prevent disclosure of voter choices.
On the occasion, the polling agents were seen validating voter identities. “This is about trust. We want to ensure a free and fair election without any pressure,” said one of the polling officials—(KNO)
