– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
29 Apr. 24: In the first phase of parliamentary elections held in Karnataka on April 26, the voters’ turnout was quite good, especially among the Muslims. The second phase for the other 14 seats is scheduled on May 7.
Credit goes to the social activists and civil society groups who have been active since a long time, right from enrolment of new voters and reregistering the missing eligible voters up to distribution of voters’ slips and taking them to booths, their performance has left deep imprints.
Coincidentally, the polling was on Friday, and most of the Muslim business establishments were closed and people took part in the polling fully. Rather long queues were witnessed before 7 am, the idea was to vote at the earliest and rest for the whole day.
Even though, like the last Assembly elections in the state, this time also there were many highly inflammable and provocative open hate speeches from fascist forces yet there was very sensible and cool response from the hate target groups. Rather the huge turnout at polling booths was seen as the positive and fitting response to the hate campaign. Especially the cool-mindedness and patience exhibited by youths is highly admirable.
In most of the mosques, Friday sermons were dedicated to educating the audience about importance of democracy, democratic values, and electoral process in the democratic systems. Mosques management committees were fully involved in making the voter ID cards. Mohalla youths were seen moving shoulder to shoulder with elders.
Various Muslim women organizations have played a vital role in motivating the slum area women to reach booths. In several areas, women outnumbered men especially in the three constituencies in Bangalore city. As per the Election Commission data, 54.17 percent women voters polled in Bangalore south, higher than their male counterparts. In Bangalore Central, 54.87 percent women have voted while 55.45 percent of women voted in Bangalore North constituency. That pro-women schemes of the state government seem to have encouraged them to participate is in the rounds.
Last but not least, the role of Ulama and scholars of the community has been very significant. Right from the Ameer-e-Shariat to heads of various Community Organisations left no stone unturned in educating and motivating the people this time.
