MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 27: Students of a charity school got a rare opportunity here on Wednesday to practically learn the power of vote and thus give a loud message to the movers and shakers in Islamabad and New Delhi that democracy had taken a firm root in their hearts and minds and their voice will have to be taken into account vis-a-vis the future of their motherland.

The idea of choosing representatives through an action- packed electoral process, which involved canvassing, announcements and promises, was put into practice in Sawera Model School.

The school offers free education and all allied facilities to the children of Kashmiri martyrs and refugees, internally displaced persons and the victims of the Oct 2005 earthquake.

“Today’s event is part of our efforts to build a sense of confidence and instil leadership qualities among our students,” said Tanveerul Islam, the foundation’s secretary-general, who once headed the United Jihad Council.

“This voting exercise will also edify them about their right to self-determination,” he said.

As Mr Islam spoke to this correspondent, students queued up first to listen to speeches by some of the around 51 candidates for 11 offices, and then for balloting.

He said a general council of Sawera Children Assembly was earlier constituted comprising children from not only his organisation run schools but also from those families which his organisation was assisting under its educational support programmes.

In the second phase, a supreme council was formed and its members were contesting the Wednesday’s elections. When questioned, the candidates expressed interesting views. “I have plans to create awareness among students about their rights besides interacting with all those who visit our institution,” said 13-year-old Rida Naeem, who emerged victorious as president.

Bilal Abdullah, who succeeded as general secretary, said the students had learnt the power of vote.

“We want that our voice should also be heard and incorporated in any future dispensation of our (Kashmir) issue,” said the 14- year-old whose father was killed by the Indian troops in 1995.

Danish Nazir, 13, who was born a few months after the killing of his father allegedly at the hands of Indian troops in Kargil, echoed Abdullah’s views.

However, Nazir could not hold back his tears when the results declared that he had lost to Rida. But Mehnaz Mushtaq, who also suffered defeat, exhibited the true spirit of democracy.

“Yes I have lost. But I will again contest next year with a better canvassing,” said the 7th grade student from Neelum valley, whose father was also killed in the Kargil war.