04:31Voters in Anantnag queued up at a local polling station on Tuesday to take part in the assembly elections for the region's 90-seat legislature. Footage from the scene shows a steady stream of voters entering the polling rooms, with heavy security provided by armed military officers.
Iltija Mufti, a candidate in the election, was observed at the polling station. Voters voiced their hopes and concerns about the significance of these elections.
Ghulam Hassan Pandith, a local voter, commented, "People of Jammu and Kashmir are not happy with the governor’s rule. In the absence of local government, our voices were not heard, and people are depressed with the present government. Today’s election will be very impactful because when there is our own elected representative, he can listen to our grievances. In the past ten years, people have faced a lot of problems."
Another voter, Showket Hakeem, highlighted the long-awaited nature of the election, stating, "For us, elections were the only solution, and finally, the elections are taking place today after a long wait of ten years. We had hoped that one day people of Jammu and Kashmir would cast their votes. This process took so much time, but with the grace of God, we see elections are taking place today."
This election is the first assembly vote in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which ended the region's special autonomy and divided it into two Union Territories. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to revoke the region's special status faced significant opposition, and the region has been under direct central rule since then.
Opposition parties such as the Indian National Congress and National Conference are working to regain local control. In December 2023, India’s Supreme Court upheld the legality of the 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Pakistan, however, disputes India's territorial claim and dismisses the court ruling as part of an annexation attempt.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being conducted in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1.
'Very impactful' - Voters in Kashmir cast ballots for assembly elections amid heavy security
Voters in Anantnag queued up at a local polling station on Tuesday to take part in the assembly elections for the region's 90-seat legislature. Footage from the scene shows a steady stream of voters entering the polling rooms, with heavy security provided by armed military officers.
Iltija Mufti, a candidate in the election, was observed at the polling station. Voters voiced their hopes and concerns about the significance of these elections.
Ghulam Hassan Pandith, a local voter, commented, "People of Jammu and Kashmir are not happy with the governor’s rule. In the absence of local government, our voices were not heard, and people are depressed with the present government. Today’s election will be very impactful because when there is our own elected representative, he can listen to our grievances. In the past ten years, people have faced a lot of problems."
Another voter, Showket Hakeem, highlighted the long-awaited nature of the election, stating, "For us, elections were the only solution, and finally, the elections are taking place today after a long wait of ten years. We had hoped that one day people of Jammu and Kashmir would cast their votes. This process took so much time, but with the grace of God, we see elections are taking place today."
This election is the first assembly vote in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which ended the region's special autonomy and divided it into two Union Territories. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to revoke the region's special status faced significant opposition, and the region has been under direct central rule since then.
Opposition parties such as the Indian National Congress and National Conference are working to regain local control. In December 2023, India’s Supreme Court upheld the legality of the 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Pakistan, however, disputes India's territorial claim and dismisses the court ruling as part of an annexation attempt.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being conducted in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1.
Voters in Anantnag queued up at a local polling station on Tuesday to take part in the assembly elections for the region's 90-seat legislature. Footage from the scene shows a steady stream of voters entering the polling rooms, with heavy security provided by armed military officers.
Iltija Mufti, a candidate in the election, was observed at the polling station. Voters voiced their hopes and concerns about the significance of these elections.
Ghulam Hassan Pandith, a local voter, commented, "People of Jammu and Kashmir are not happy with the governor’s rule. In the absence of local government, our voices were not heard, and people are depressed with the present government. Today’s election will be very impactful because when there is our own elected representative, he can listen to our grievances. In the past ten years, people have faced a lot of problems."
Another voter, Showket Hakeem, highlighted the long-awaited nature of the election, stating, "For us, elections were the only solution, and finally, the elections are taking place today after a long wait of ten years. We had hoped that one day people of Jammu and Kashmir would cast their votes. This process took so much time, but with the grace of God, we see elections are taking place today."
This election is the first assembly vote in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which ended the region's special autonomy and divided it into two Union Territories. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to revoke the region's special status faced significant opposition, and the region has been under direct central rule since then.
Opposition parties such as the Indian National Congress and National Conference are working to regain local control. In December 2023, India’s Supreme Court upheld the legality of the 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Pakistan, however, disputes India's territorial claim and dismisses the court ruling as part of an annexation attempt.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being conducted in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1.