India-occupied Kashmir holds final round of regional elections

In Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) voters hit the polls again on Tuesday for the final round of elections, aiming to elect a local government for the first time since the region lost its autonomy in 2019.

Back then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government abruptly scrapped the area’s special status, detaining many and cutting off communications for months.

Since that dramatic change, IoK has been run by a governor appointed by New Delhi rather than local officials chosen by the people. On voting day, security was tight, with troops stationed at polling places across the Baramulla district, part of the larger military presence of over half a million soldiers in the region.

A high unemployment rate and lingering anger over the 2019 decision have shaped much of the election chatter, with many local parties campaigning on a promise to restore IoK’s autonomy.

With over 55% of voters showing up at the polls, turnout in the first two rounds was relatively strong. This is contrast to previous elections, which were boycotted by groups advocating for Kashmiri self-determination thus, had lower participation.

Local politicians emphasised that the increased military presence in the region has seriously restricted freedoms however, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) counter this narrative claiming that their actions have brought stability in the region.

IoK is made up of different areas, including the mostly Muslim Kashmir Valley and the predominantly Hindu Jammu district. While the BJP is running candidates in all constituencies in Jammu, it’s only contesting about a third of the seats in the rest of the region.

Regardless of who wins, Delhi still holds the power to override decisions made by the local 90-seat assembly, thanks to the Modi government’s strong majority in Parliament.