Residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir are gearing up for their first regional election in a decade that will allow them to have their own truncated government, also known as a local assembly, instead of remaining under New Delhi's direct rule. The region, divided between India and Pakistan, has been on edge since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government ended its special status in 2019 and also scrapped its statehood.
Background on Kashmir's Disputed Status
Kashmir's future was left unresolved at the end of British colonial rule in 1947 when the Indian subcontinent was divided into predominantly Hindu India and mainly Muslim Pakistan. Pakistan has long pushed for the right to self-determination under a U.N. resolution passed in 1948, which called for a referendum on whether Kashmiris wanted to merge with either country.
Current Status of the Region
Indian-administered Kashmir has been without a local government since 2018 when India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ended its support to the local Kashmiri People’s Democratic Party, causing the assembly to dissolve. Modi’s government revoked the region’s semi-autonomy and downgraded it to a federally controlled territory, leading to significant changes in governance and administration.
Implications of the Upcoming Election
The three-phased polls are set to take place between Sept. 18 and Oct. 1, with votes to be counted on Oct. 4. While the election will establish a local assembly, Indian-controlled Kashmir will remain a “Union Territory” directly controlled by the federal government, limiting the new government's legislative powers. The region's statehood status remains a key issue for many residents and political parties.
Views on the Election
Opinions among Kashmir residents vary, with some seeing the election as an opportunity to express discontent with the ruling party, while others remain indifferent. Pro-India political parties aim to use the election to oppose recent changes by the central government, while separatist leaders historically call for a boycott, citing concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
