Vote counting is underway in the recent election for a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir, marking the first election since the region lost its special status five years ago. The election, held from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1, saw nearly 8.9 million eligible voters with an overall turnout of 64% across three phases.
The move to strip the region of its semi-autonomy in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government led to the division of the former state into two centrally governed union territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. This decision was met with opposition in Kashmir, with concerns raised about potential demographic changes in the region.
India and Pakistan both administer parts of Kashmir, with both claiming the territory in its entirety. The recent election results may serve as a referendum against Modi's 2019 decision, with early projections indicating the National Conference as the largest party, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The National Conference contested the election in alliance with the Congress party, and potential coalition support from the Peoples Democratic Party may be needed to form a government. The region will have its own government and legislature, but will remain a 'union territory' under direct federal control until its statehood is restored.
Past elections in Kashmir have been marred by violence and controversies, with ongoing tensions between militants fighting against Indian rule and the government's stance on the conflict. The region's last assembly election was in 2014, with subsequent political shifts leading to the current election scenario.
Despite challenges, the election signifies a step towards regional governance in Kashmir, with implications for its future relationship with New Delhi and the broader political landscape in the region.
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