Kashmir to hold first local polls in 10 years: ‘Too little, too late?’

The upcoming regional assembly elections in Kashmir will be held in three stages from September 18 to October 1, with 8.7 million eligible voters participating. The results will be announced on October 4, following the counting of ballots from across the region.

The elections have divided opinions, with some seeing it as a step towards democracy while others argue that real power remains in New Delhi’s hands. Hardline separatists, demanding independence for Kashmir, oppose the elections, pushing for a referendum instead.

With a history of conflict in the region, security remains a priority during the elections to ensure a peaceful process. The region has seen significant changes since the last assembly elections in 2014, including the cancellation of partial autonomy and the division into a union territory.