A first: Valley journalists vote to choose press club body

ibune News Service

Srinagar, July 15

The Kashmir Press Club held its first-ever election in Srinagar on Monday. Around 250 journalists and editors from across the Valley cast their vote.

The club wore a festive look and journalists were enthusiastic about the elections. A makeshift tent was erected on the club premises to host the visitors on the scorching summer day.

“It was like a festival today. The club ground was jam-packed till the evening as the votes were being counted, showing the enthusiasm among the voters,” said a journalist as anxious contestants waited for the results.

After the daylong voting, journalist Shuja-ul-Haq of the India Today group was elected the president of the club, Kashmir Reader reporter Mohammad Moazum was elected the vice-president and The Tribune correspondent Ishfaq Tantry was elected the general secretary.

Three contestants each were in the race for the posts of the president, vice-president and the general secretary and two contestants ran for the post of the treasurer.

As many as 20 journalists were in the fray for the seven executive member posts.

The election commission overseeing the voting process said 92 per cent votes (231 out of 252 votes) were cast.

Eleven members, among them those currently outside the Valley and an injured journalist, cast their vote online.

While many journalists said it was the first time they had cast their vote, some described it as a “historic moment” for Kashmir’s journalism where journalists have lived through stressful and hostile conditions. The voters included editors, photojournalists and videojournalists affiliated with the club.

Scribes enthusiastic 

• The press club in Srinagar wore a festive look on Monday and journalists were enthusiastic about the elections. A makeshift tent was erected on the club premises to host the visitors on the scorching summer day
• Journalist Shuja-ul-Haq of the India Today group was elected the president of the club, Kashmir Reader reporter Mohammad Moazum was elected the vice-president and The Tribune correspondent Ishfaq Tantry was elected the general secretary