Election Overview
Indian-controlled commenced a three-phased election for local governance, marking the first since the 2019 revocation of its special status by ’s government.
The election process, designed to allow troop mobility and prevent potential violence, spans from September 18 to October 1, with results anticipated on October 8. It involves selecting lawmakers for a local assembly under a "Union Territory" status.
Political and Social Context
The revocation in 2019 led to widespread unrest, with locals and political parties now using the election as a platform to protest against the changes and address regional issues like unemployment and inflation.
Despite the BJP's promise of economic development, opposition parties, including the Congress and National Conference, campaign for the restoration of the region's statehood and reversal of the 2019 changes.