Kashmir Assembly Elections Include Displaced Voters

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is set to take place, allowing over 35,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits to vote at 24 polling stations in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi. These elections, which include 24 constituencies across seven districts, will determine the fate of 219 candidates and are characterized by heightened security measures. Dr. Arvind Karwani, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, confirmed that arrangements for free and fair voting have been made, particularly for vulnerable groups. In a broader context, this election marks the first in a decade since the revocation of the region's special status by the Modi government in 2019, prompting many local residents to participate as a form of protest against perceived governmental overreach. Polling will occur in three phases, with votes counted on October 8. This election is seen as a critical opportunity for Kashmiris to assert their identity and political choices amidst ongoing tensions with New Delhi.