In the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, local elections are scheduled to take place starting September 18, 2024, marking the first such polls in a decade. These elections follow the revocation of the region’s special status by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2019, a decision that downgraded Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory under direct central control.
This move triggered widespread protests, with many residents viewing it as an attack on their identity and autonomy, leading to a historical election boycott.
However, this year sees a change in attitude among voters. Many Kashmiris now see participating in the elections as an opportunity to challenge Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and prevent its influence on local governance. Abdul Rashid, a resident of Shangus village, reflects this sentiment, stating, “Boycotting is no longer effective. We need to stop the changes being imposed by India.”
The upcoming elections will give residents the chance to elect representatives to a local assembly, providing some self-governance as opposed to direct rule from New Delhi. The last local elections in 2014 saw the BJP form a coalition government with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but this partnership fell apart in 2018 when the BJP withdrew support.
The elections will unfold in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8. An estimated 2.3 million voters, including 566,000 first-time voters, will participate. The security situation remains a concern, and Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) along with local police have been deployed to ensure safety.
Several political parties, including the PDP led by Mehbooba Mufti and the National Conference (NC) led by Omar Abdullah, are in the running. Both parties have governed the region in the past and are advocating for the restoration of its statehood. They have also formed an alliance with India’s main opposition party, Congress. Independent candidates, some with alleged ties to the BJP, are also contesting, raising concerns about vote-splitting strategies that could weaken opposition parties.
Some separatist leaders who previously boycotted elections now find themselves running as independents, signaling a shift in strategy for groups that once viewed elections as illegitimate under military occupation. While some locals express optimism about addressing pressing issues like unemployment and corruption, others remain skeptical. “We want to vote to address our daily challenges, not for the Kashmir conflict,” one voter remarked.
Others see their participation as a form of protest against Modi’s post-2019 policies. Local resident Zameer Ahmad commented, “We want to send a message that the government’s actions are unacceptable.”
As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for these pivotal elections, their outcome will shape the region’s political future, providing both opportunities for local governance and deepening ongoing debates about autonomy and identity within this contested territory. These elections represent more than just a political process—they are a critical moment for Kashmir’s complex relationship with Indian governance.
