Indian Kashmir votes in regional polls with return of autonomy at forefront
Al Jazeera
Contest pits parties seeking to restore region’s special status against India’s main governing party BJP.
Indian-administered Kashmir is holding a second round of voting in elections to elect a regional government.
Kashmiris lined up outside polling stations on Wednesday to vote in the first local government election since New Delhi scrapped the semi-autonomous status of the disputed Himalayan territory in 2019.
Security was high as the region’s 8.7 million registered voters prepared for the second round. Polling stations opened at 7am (01:30 GMT), authorities said.
Turnout is expected to be high, unlike in past elections when separatists opposing Indian rule and demanding independence or a merger with neighbouring Pakistan, boycotted polls.
A high unemployment rate and anger at the 2019 changes have animated campaigning.
