Karehwad Ghatana During elections for a new state assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, there were of course slogans, meetings, processions and posters. There was also singing and dancing. As if it were a festival of democracy. This is not a party, it will be a candidate. This is not a party, it will be a vote. Just a couple of months before these elections, vast demonstrations against the government had culminated in a call for Kashmiris to boycott these elections. When elections were announced despite the boycott call, people could be seen in distant corners of Kashmir discussing the pros and cons of participating and they expressed a broad range of views. Some of the arguments against elections were based on religion. Islam means democracy, Islam means peace and we believe in that. Candidates reached out to the people even in rain and snow. And campaigning carried on late, even on cold winter nights. A wide range of issues was raised during the campaign. But for many voters, bread and butter issues of everyday life mattered the most. The issue that resonated the most right across Kashmir was Beiru's Garhi, unemployment. The main problem here is unemployment. No, I can't give it to anyone. We are not business, we are not industry. People are not business. Some people absorbed the spirit of democracy with such enthusiasm that they heatedly argued with their candidates and former representatives. Conducting elections is never easy and Kashmir's climate, terrain and security challenges made these the toughest anyway. And then it was time to vote. Finally, it was time to tally the votes and declare results.