Kashmir to Hold First Local Elections in a Decade

India-administered Kashmir is set to conduct local elections starting September 18, marking the first regional polls in ten years. Nearly nine million voters are registered for the 90-member legislative assembly elections, which will unfold in three stages, with vote counting scheduled for October 4, Al-Jazeera reported yesterday.

The decision to proceed with elections follows a December ruling by India’s Supreme Court, which dismissed petitions challenging the revocation of Kashmir’s special status in 2019. This move has been a point of contention, as Kashmir has been a flashpoint of conflict between India and Pakistan since their independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserts that the removal of special status has brought normalcy to the region, yet many Kashmiris remain skeptical, vowing to resist Indian control. The upcoming elections are seen as a crucial step towards restoring democratic processes in a region long affected by violence and political turmoil.