India-controlled Kashmir votes in the second phase of polls to elect local government

Indian-administered Kashmir voted on Wednesday to elect its first government since New Delhi scrapped the Himalayan territory's semi-autonomous status, sparking widespread protest in a region wracked by a decades-long insurgency.

The change in 2019 by Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the Muslim-majority territory under New Delhi's direct control. It was accompanied by mass arrests and a long communications blackout.

Since then, the territory has been without an elected government, ruled instead by a federally appointed governor.

Soldiers carrying rifles stood watch outside polling stations in the main city of Srinagar on Wednesday morning as dozens of voters queued in the sun.

The region's chief electoral officer said over 24 percent of voters cast their ballots between 7am (0130 GMT) when the polls opened and 11am.

Turnout is expected to be high, unlike in past elections when separatists opposed to Indian rule boycotted polls, demanding the independence of Kashmir or its merger with neighbouring Pakistan.

Islamabad controls a smaller portion of the mountainous territory, which has been divided since the end of British colonial rule in 1947, and, like India, claims it in full.

In the first stage of the three-phased election, staggered due to security challenges, polling was held on 18 September, and 61 percent of voters cast their ballots.

Foreign diplomats were invited to Kashmir to observe the polls.

Foreign journalists require special permission to visit the region, which is not normally forthcoming.

About 500,000 Indian troops are deployed in the region where a 35-year insurgency has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels, including dozens this year.

Frustrations

A high unemployment rate and anger at the 2019 changes have animated campaigning, and regional parties have promised to fight for the restoration of autonomy.

Key decisions will remain in New Delhi's hands, however, including security and appointing Kashmir's governor.

Delhi will also have the power to override legislation passed by the 90-seat assembly.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the changes to the territory's governance have delivered a new era of peace to Kashmir and rapid economic growth, claims the regional parties vehemently dismiss.

Critics have accused Modi's BJP of encouraging a surge of independent candidates in Muslim-majority areas to split the vote.

While the BJP has fielded candidates in all the constituencies of Hindu-majority Jammu, it is fighting only from about a third of the seats in the Kashmir valley.

"Since the last election ten years ago, we were left at the mercy of God," said Tariq Ahmed, 40, after casting his vote.

"I am happy this election is happening. I hope we get our own representative with whom poor people like myself can raise everyday issues."

The last round of voting will be held on 1 October, with results expected a week later.