Indian-administered Kashmir is set to hold local elections starting on September 18, the first regional polls in a decade following the revocation of the region’s special autonomy by New Delhi. Nearly nine million people are registered to vote for the 90-member legislative assembly, with voting taking place in three stages between September 18 and October 1. The decision to hold elections comes after a Supreme Court order setting a deadline for provincial polls by September 30.
The revocation of Kashmir’s special status in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been a contentious issue, with some viewing the upcoming elections as a critical step in returning power to the people to choose their leaders. The region has been at the center of 77 years of tension between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming Kashmir in full.
While Modi has defended his decision, saying it brought normalcy to the region after decades of violence, many Kashmiris have vowed to continue resisting Indian rule. Pakistan, which provides diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination, has denied allegations of supporting armed groups in the region.
Past elections in Kashmir have been marred by low turnout and attacks from armed groups, but the region saw its highest voter turnout in 35 years in parliamentary elections earlier this year. Some separatists oppose the upcoming elections, demanding a referendum to determine the future of the region. The Modi government and election officials have pointed to the increased voter turnout as a sign of faith in the democratic process.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com