Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.
Trump's Air Force One lands in Tel Aviv
Al-Qassam: To our free prisoners: Gaza, its Resistance, have given their most precious possessions, have striven with all their might to break your chains; we pledge that your cause will remain at the top of our national priorities until you are all freed.
Al-Qassam Brigades: Instead its army killed dozens of them as a result of its failed policy of military pressure.

Local elections kick off in Indian-controlled Kashmir amid tensions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 18 Sep 2024 16:16
3 Min Read

The elections are being held under the watchful eyes of about 500,000 Indian troops, reflecting the ongoing security concerns in a region plagued by 35 years of violence.

Listen
  • x
  • An elderly Kashmiri man walks back after casting his vote at a polling booth in in Bellow, south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP)
    An elderly Kashmiri man walks back after casting his vote at a polling booth in in Bellow, south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP)

Residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir turned out to vote in the first local elections since the revocation of the region’s special semi-autonomous status by the Indian government in 2019.

The three-phased elections, which began this Wednesday, mark the first such event in a decade, drawing an impressive 8.7 million registered voters to select their representatives for the 90-seat legislature.

Local resident Shahnawat expressed his anticipation, stating to AFP, "We have been waiting for this for the last 10 years because there are a lot of problems here in terms of healthcare, education, and development. We will now be able to choose a good representative."

Similarly, voter Subhash highlighted the significance of the occasion, "Voting is everyone's right and if people are getting this great opportunity after 10 years to select an elected body or representative, someone who listens to your problems and issues, help you and the state progress, I think it is a good moment, good opportunity."

The elections are being held under the watchful eyes of about 500,000 Indian troops, reflecting the ongoing security concerns in a region plagued by 35 years of violence.

Since the abolition of its special status under Article 370, the region has been governed directly from New Delhi, a move that has continued to stir controversy and dissent among the local population.

Related News

Pakistan blames India after Taliban claim strikes hit Kabul, Paktika

India reopens embassy in Kabul as Taliban FM visits New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for high voter turnout, emphasizing the elections as a "festival of democracy," and specifically urged young and first-time voters to participate.

Despite the local electoral process, key powers concerning security and administrative appointments will remain centralized in New Delhi, under Modi's administration.

Read more: Indian troops engage gunmen in Kashmir, multiple injuries reported

The ongoing elections occur against a backdrop of increasing unemployment, which stands at 18.3 percent, starkly higher than the national average, adding to the economic strain on Kashmir's residents.

Madiha, a 27-year-old jobless graduate, voiced her concerns, "My biggest concern is unemployment. The cost of living has reached the sky."

Kashmir has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan since their partition in 1947. Both countries claim the Muslim majority territory in its entirety and have fought multiple wars over it. Pakistan has denounced India's 2019 decision to revoke Kashmir's autonomy as illegal and criticized the heavy military deployment and restrictions imposed on the region’s Muslim majority.

The election results are scheduled to be counted and announced on October 8, amid hopes for a peaceful and democratic outcome that addresses the concerns and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Kashmir

Most Read

The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta
Palestine

'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta

drop site
Politics

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

ap
Politics

SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal to integrate forces

Palestinians search through the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on October 12, 2025. (AFP)
Politics

Gaza families return to ruins, searching for their loved ones

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS