The Pakistan-bordering region is voting to elect its first legislative assembly since 2014.
The final round of voting in the regional elections for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) took place on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for the region, which has long been at the heart of a tense conflict between India and Pakistan. This phase saw voters from 40 constituencies across seven districts casting their ballots, with 415 candidates vying for seats. About 3.9 million voters were eligible to participate in this round, contributing to the overall pool of nine million registered voters tasked with electing members to the 90-seat legislature.
In the previous two rounds, voter turnout was solid, with 61% on September 18 and 57% on the 25th, as reported by local media. This election is especially significant, being the first local poll since 2014 and the first since New Delhi revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in 2019. Article 370 had provided J&K with a degree of administrative autonomy, but after its abrogation, the region was split into two union territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—both primarily managed by the central government.
“We need a local leader in Kashmir more than ever, which is why we’re all coming out to vote,” one resident shared with an RT correspondent. Others echoed the hope that this election would lead to a government focused on creating job opportunities.
The 2019 move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government strained India’s relationship with Pakistan, with Islamabad immediately downgrading diplomatic ties and suspending its Indian High Commissioner. Last year, Pakistan rejected a ruling by India’s Supreme Court that upheld the constitutional change. The Kashmir issue has remained a flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed nations since their independence from British rule in 1947, with both countries claiming the region.
The election results, set to be announced on October 8, are seen as a potential step toward restoring peace in a region plagued by terrorism and militancy. Despite heightened security, the election process was largely peaceful, though recent months have seen an increase in terrorist activity, leading New Delhi to issue warnings to Pakistan.
In a first, the Indian government invited diplomats from 15 countries to observe the polling process in Jammu and Kashmir, signalling an effort to maintain transparency during this crucial election.
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