Security high as IIOJK votes in round two of polls

Polling in first stage of the three-phased election - staggered due to security challenges, was held on September 18.

SRINAGAR:

India Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir voted on Wednesday to elect its first government since New Delhi scrapped the territory's semi-autonomous status.

The change in 2019 by Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the Muslim-majority territory under New Delhi's direct control and 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 main city Srinagar on Wednesday morning as dozens of voters queued in the sun.

"We want to have a representative who will take our grievances forward," said Abdul Rahim, 52, after casting his vote.

He added, "Our children are locked up and we are suffering. They (the government) abrogated Article 370 (which granted Kashmir its special status) so we don't have any representatives who can question their moves."

More than 24 per cent of voters had cast their ballots between 7 am (0130 GMT) when the polls opened, and 11 am, the region's chief electoral officer said. Turnout is expected to be high unlike in past elections.

Polling in the first stage of the three-phased election - staggered due to security challenges - was held on September 18 when 61 per cent of voters cast their ballots.

Foreign diplomats were invited into 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 fighters, including dozens this year.