Eye on Kashmir

Elections in Indian-administered Kashmir are underway and the media scramble to report, analyse and nitpick is on its usual course. The first and second phases of elections took place on 17 and 23 November, respectively, with another five phases to take place before December 24. So far the elections have been marked by a strong turnout of the 6.5 million eligible voters despite anti-election protests and pockets of violence. Himal is keeping an eye on the developing events, through articles, editorials and other interesting material from a wide range of sources.

Election Commission of India: Election Results

Election Results

The Wall Street Journal: Voters in Kashmir Defy Separatists' Election Boycott
BBC: No clear winner in Kashmir poll
BBC: Kashmiri parties in coalition bid

Phase Five: December 13

Newspost online: Stage set for fifth phase of polling in Kashmir

Phase Four: December 7

Reuters: Kashmiris queue at poll booths despite boycott call
The Associated Press: Clashes disrupt fourth phase of Kashmir elections

Phase Three: 30 November 2008

News Blaze: Authorities Claim 64 Percent Voting in Kashmir Election
Rising Kashmir: Votes will only strengthen Indian occupation here
Wasim Khalid

The Hindu: Polls cant deter peoples urge for freedom: Hurriyat
AFP: Indian troops kill seven rebels ahead of fresh Kashmir polls

Syed Ali Safvi Blog: If voters stay away migrants may impact in Srinagar
Associated Press of Pakistan: Anti-poll demonstrations held in Kupwara district

Kashmir Watch: Tense Times in Kashmir
Iftikhar Gilani

Phase Two: 23 November 2008

BBC: Violence Marks Kashmir Election
CNN: Protestors, security forces clash during Kashmir elections

The Nation: Clashes mar Held Kashmir elections "Indian riot police baton-charged hundreds of anti-poll protesters in Held Kashmir Sunday as the state voted in the second stage of elections under the guard of thousands of troops."
Indian Express: Three injured in Election Rally Grenade Attak in J & K "Three persons were injured on Tuesday as militants hurled a grenade at a road show organised by National Conference candidate in Sopore segment of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said."

Dawn: No election, no Selection – we want Freedom say Kashmiris "Sunday's turnout was however less than what was in the first round of voting last week in which, according to Indian officials' claim, more than 60 per cent of the electorate cast their ballot"
The Economic Times: Turnout pushes Kashmir Separatists "Where do the unexpectedly high voting percentages in the first two phases of elections in Jammu and Kashmir leave the separatist leadership that had called for a boycott? … It may be too early to predict the turnout across the state as the elections will go on till December 24, but it is clear that many Kashmiris in this state of over 7.5 million people who are in the vortex of a sovereignty dispute for the last six decades till now have defied the separatists and voted for better governance and a solution to their daily problems."

Related stories:
Himal Southasian, October/November Issue: Anger and Elections by Riyaz Masroor
Amidst the most vehemnt anti-India demonstrations in years, New Delhi still holds onto the hope of holding the Kashmir Assembly elections by November.
Himal Southasian, August Issue: Renewed Kashmiri Tinderbox by Riyaz Masroor
The June agitation in the Kashmir Valley was about much more than 99 acres of land.

Other Web Exclusives:
After the Kosi Breach
Bombay Attacks

Send us your thoughts and speculations on the outcome of the elections as well as what you think this means for the future of Kashmir.