Voting in the final phase of the election to choose a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir began on Tuesday, marking the first such vote since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government stripped the disputed region of its special status five years ago. Over 3.9 million residents are eligible to cast their votes to choose 40 lawmakers out of 415 candidates in the region's seven districts during the third and last phase of the election.
This election is significant as it is the first such vote in a decade and the first since Modi's government revoked the Muslim-majority region's semi-autonomy in 2019. This move led to the division of the former state into two centrally governed union territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, both ruled directly by New Delhi through appointed administrators and unelected bureaucrats.
The decision to revoke Kashmir's special status was met with mixed reactions, with support from many in India and Modi's followers, while facing opposition in Kashmir where it was viewed as an attack on the region's identity and autonomy. Since then, civil liberties have been restricted, and media freedom has been curtailed in the region.
India and Pakistan both administer parts of Kashmir but claim the territory in its entirety, leading to longstanding tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The voting process in Kashmir is being closely monitored, with thousands of armed government forces deployed to ensure security at over 5,000 polling stations.
Notably, in Jammu areas, thousands of Pakistani Hindu refugees are participating in a regional election for the first time since their migration in 1947. These refugees, known as West Pakistan Refugees, have been granted Indian citizenship and voting rights in national elections.
The election process began on September 18 with a turnout of approximately 61% and continued with the second phase last Wednesday, recording an overall turnout of about 55%. No major incidents have been reported during the voting phases, with votes set to be counted on October 8, and results expected on the same day.
The election aims to establish a local government and legislature in Kashmir, transitioning from direct rule by New Delhi to a more autonomous setup. However, Kashmir will remain a 'Union Territory' under the control of the federal government, with statehood restoration necessary for the new government to have powers similar to other Indian states.
The region has been plagued by militancy since 1989, with rebels seeking to unite Kashmir under Pakistani rule or as an independent nation. India views the insurgency as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, while Pakistan and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate struggle for freedom. The conflict has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, including civilians, rebels, and government forces.
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