After a decade, Indian-administered Kashmir is set to hold local elections starting on September 18, marking a significant step towards empowering the region’s residents to choose their leaders. The first regional polls in a decade come five years after New Delhi revoked Kashmir’s special autonomy.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced the schedule for the elections, to be held in three stages between September 18 and October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 4. Nearly nine million people are registered to vote for the 90-member legislative assembly.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status in 2019 was aimed at bringing normalcy to the region, but it has faced opposition from many Kashmiris who vow to resist Indian control. The region has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for decades, with both countries claiming full sovereignty over Kashmir.
While previous elections in Kashmir have faced challenges such as low voter turnout and attacks by armed groups, the upcoming polls signal a new chapter in the region’s democratic process, reflecting the growing faith of Kashmir’s voters in participation and governance.
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