Voters in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal District said boycotting elections is never beneficial.
Expressing confidence that there would cent percent polling in Ganderbal, a voter here said people are casting their votes in the hope for development and prosperity in the days to come.
"We are watching since 90s, boycott and stone pelting etc. have ruined Kashmir's image. Now, the people are not concentrating on boycott, they want to vote by choice. Boycotting doesn't solve the problems. Voting will form a government and it will benefit the people," he added.
The voter further said the enthusiasm with which the people are casting their votes signifies that they have high hopes from their leaders.
"You can see that the people are standing in long queues and they are casting their votes with lot of happiness and excitement. This means that the people are looking for their rights and with their votes they are trying to make their candidates win. People are casting their votes for success, happiness and peace," he said.
"In countries where the government is formed through the voting process, that government is automatically very strong and in favour of the people. So, the people cast their votes to ensure that their problems are solved," he added.
Meanwhile, another voter said it is very important to vote as it helps in forming the government.
"By voting, we chose our candidate who solves all our problems. We should cast our votes and not waste our precious votes. It will help in the progress, education of the next generation," he added.
In Jammu and Kashmir, fifteen assembly segments of the state are going to polls in the first phase. This includes all four assembly seats of Ladakh, five seats in Kashmir and six seats in Jammu region.
The assembly segments where polling is on include Nobra, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar (in Ladakh); Gurez, Bandipora, Sonawari, Kangan and Ganderbal (in Kashmir) and Kishtwar, Inderwal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Ramban and Banihal (in Jammu division).
A total of 10,502,50 voters, including 5,49,698 males and 5,00,539 females, besides 13 transgenders are eligible to exercise their right to franchise in the first phase of the polls.
The counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir will take place on December 23.
