India's Jammu & Kashmir began voting today to elect its local government for the first time in a decade. The next two phases of polling will take place on Sept. 25 and Oct. 01.India's Jammu and Kashmir began voting today to elect its first local government since 2014. Polling is scheduled for Sept. 25 and Oct. 01, too, and the results for Oct 08.
Nearly 9M people of the region claimed by both India and Pakistan will elect 90 members to a legislative assembly. The election results will be declared on Oct. 8.Nearly 9M people of the insurgency-hit region claimed by both India and Pakistan will elect 90 members of legislative assembly in the shadow of 500K troops.
The Kashmir election marks a pivotal moment in the region's political landscape as a new era of democratic engagement emerged. The Kashmiris are moving away from fear and towards active civic involvement. The election is poised to reshape power dynamics, challenging established parties and potentially ushering in new voices that resonate with the evolving "idea of Kashmir." It signifies a crucial step in Kashmir's journey towards political normalcy.
For Kashmiris today, voting isn't simply a celebration of development or renewed faith in democracy anymore. It represents a complex response to years of suppression and disenfranchisement. For many, it is a rare opportunity to break their enforced silence and express their frustrations. This election could highlight an urgent need for meaningful outreach to address the region's deep-seated issues before pent-up anger finds more dangerous outlets.