Srinagar: Security measures have been significantly increased in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir as the region approaches what local authorities call the first phase of assembly elections. These heightened restrictions have stirred criticism and raised concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process in the area.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Inspector General of Police for the Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi, outlined the extensive security preparations which include the deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) and local police forces. The security strategy encompasses securing polling stations, strong rooms where votes are stored, and the establishment of numerous checkpoints and patrols throughout the region.
The electoral process is set to unfold in three phases, starting on September 18 with 24 seats being contested. The subsequent phases will occur on September 25 and October 1, contesting 26 and 40 seats, respectively, with the final vote count scheduled for October 8.
This election marks the first since the revocation of Kashmir’s special autonomous status in 2019, an act that heightened tensions and has since kept the region under a global spotlight. Local sentiment appears largely antagonistic toward the elections, with many residents viewing them as a facade intended to reinforce India’s control rather than a genuine democratic exercise.