India has announced plans to hold key regional elections in the disputed territory of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir from 18 September. These polls are the first in nearly a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked the region’s special status in 2019. The three-phased voting in the 90 constituencies will conclude on 1 October with counting set for 4 October. With 8.7 million eligible voters, including 4.26 million women, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar affirmed that the elections are long overdue due to political uncertainty.
The decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status was one of the promises made by Mr. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019, which led to major backlash in the region. Despite recent efforts by the Prime Minister to win back support through development projects, analysts and local politicians believe the anger against the BJP remains.
The region, divided between India and Pakistan after gaining independence from Britain in 1947, continues to face a heavy military presence due to armed insurgency and violent incidents. A recent shift in militant activity towards the Jammu region has raised concerns, exemplified by a deadly attack on Hindu pilgrims in Reasi.
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