Baramulla, Aug 25: Baramulla Working Journalists Association (BWJA) under the banner of North Kashmir Journalist Association-an amalgam of journalists associations of north Kashmir districts successfully held its presidential elections on Sunday at the Human Aid Society Office in Baramulla in which 34 journalists of Baramulla district participated and senior journalist Gulzar Ahmed Zargar - Special Correspondent Daily Headlines Today was elected as president of the BWJA while as Umar Rashid was elected as General Secretary.

A total of 34 journalists from various sub-divsions and Tehsils including Baramulla, Pattan, Tangmarg, Sopore, Rafiabad, Sheeri, and Uri, participated Presidential and General Secretary elections of 2024. 

In a closely contested election, Zargar Gulzar of Headlines Today was re-elected as the President of BWJA, securing 22 out of 34 votes for time in row while as other presidential candidates, Sajad Hussain of Network 18 Urdu and Ashiq Mir of News X and Kashmir Wire received 6 votes each.

The election a also saw tough contest for General Secretary post in which Omar Rashid  was  elected as the General Secretary of the association securing 12 votes while as Sheik Dawood and Arshid Farooq got 11 votes each so Umar Rashid emerged as victorious candidate with margin of one vote.

The election process was overseen by Chairman BWJA Haji Karamat Qayoom, Chief Election Observer Chairman of Human Aid Society  Bashir Ahmad Mir who were flanked by independent election observers Noor ul Haq and Reyaz Rashid with senior journalist Altaf Baba of Greater Kashmir was the Returning Officer of the election process.

During the event, speakers expressed their gratitude to the participating journalists for making the election a grand success. They emphasized the importance of strengthening the association and vowed to continue the fight for press freedom at all levels. The newly elected President, Gulzar Ahmed Zargar, reiterated his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by journalists in the district and ensuring their welfare.

The BWJA, as an important body for journalists in north Kashmir, remains dedicated to resolving the issues of working journalists and upholding the ethical standards of journalism. The association is also planning to issue identity cards to its members to facilitate their recognition during official functions and events.

Journalists who participated in the elections were Karamat Qayoom senior journalist Editor SNS Kashmir Shaherbeen ,Zargar Gulzar Headlines Today, Ashiq Mir News X-Kashmir Wire, Sheikh Dawood DDK/Aaj Tak, Irshad Ahmad Bhat Gulistan Tv, Majeed Sheeri of KPS/Tameel Irshad, Yaqoob Lala Times Now, Abid Nabi Daily Excelsior, Mudasir Ahmad Network 18 Hindi, Arshad Farooq Precious Kashmir, Nissar Yatoo 4Tv,Nisar Malik IANS/KR, Fayaz Bukhari- Kashmir Uzma,  Umar Rashid Urdu News Kashmir, Iqbal Amin Greater Now, Iqbal Bhat Akas Parwaz, Manzoor Sheeri City Express/ KNS, Inayat Qayoom SNS Kashmir, Sheikh Sanjeel-Asian Mail, Umar Rashid ANN. Of Baramulla  while as Tangmarg was represented by Ishfaq Dar- Gulistan, Bashir  Ahmad Sagar Zee Media, Bhat Mudasir- 4tv an Pattan was represented as Rahi Nisar Gulistan TV, Mohammad Latief Bhat, Syed Mudasir, Munir Hura Network 18 Urdu and Sopore Tehsil was represented by Junaid peer Tameel Irshad, Kounsar Arafat ETV Bharat, Uri Tehsil was represented by Zaffar Iqbal Uri .

The successful conduct of these elections marks a significant step forward for the BWJA in its ongoing mission to support professional journalism and advocate for the rights of journalists in Baramulla and the surrounding areas.