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.

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.

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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.