Srinagar, India, Sep 25 (EFE).- People queued up in large numbers at polling stations in Srinagar and five other districts on Wednesday for the second phase of the regional elections, the first in Indian Kashmir in a decade.
A Kashmiri woman rows her boat loaded with grass on the interiors of Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, 25 September 2024. EFE/EPA/FAROOQ KHAN
Voting began at 7am local time at 3,502 polling stations across 26 constituencies in the volatile region.
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol on a wooden bridge during the second phase of the assembly election in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, 25 September 2024. EFE/EPA/FAROOQ KHAN
Nearly 37 percent of eligible voters had cast their vote by 1pm local time, according to the election authorities in Jammu and Kashmir.
A Kashmiri man shows his marked finger outside a polling station after casting her vote in the second phase of the assembly election in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, 25 September 2024. EFE/EPA/FAROOQ KHAN
So far, the second phase of the elections has progressed normally without any incident amid strong security and in the presence of international observers.
Indian Kashmir has witnessed an armed insurgency and electoral boycotts since 1989.
Those opposed to being a part of India advocate the merger of Indian Kashmir with Pakistan or the formation of an independent country.
For its part, India accuses Pakistan – which controls the western part of the region – of fomenting insurgency by ing cross-border terrorism.
Islamabad denies these accusations and insists that Kashmiris are waging an indigenous struggle for their freedom.
The vote to elect a regional government is the first in a decade, with the last election held in 2014. It is also the first election since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government revoked the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019, downgrading it into two federally-istered territories.
This move also stripped Kashmir of its separate constitution and special protections related to land ownership and jobs.
“We are participating in the election for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and want to live in peace,” Rafi Dar, a voter, told reporters after casting his vote.
Another voter, Mir Mashoq, said he was voting for semi-autonomy to be restored to the Muslim majority region.
But the territorial issue is not the only concern of the inhabitants of Indian Kashmir.
“To develop and work for the creation of jobs is the prime duty of every government, we hope that our all concerns will be addressed by the elected government,” said a middle aged lady, who revealed only her surname as Nissa.
The first phase of voting, held on Sep. 18, saw a record turnout of over 61 percent, a significant shift in India’s largest Muslim-majority region where separatist-led boycott calls have kept voter participation low for more than 35 years.
The third and final phase of the election is scheduled for Oct. 1, with the vote counting to take place on Oct. 8. EFE
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