Voting began in the second phase of India’s general election yesterday. The vote continued amid massive security and a lockdown in parts of the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir state. The outcome in the world’s largest free voting exercise remains uncertain as unrest and corruption continue.
Kashmir is a state in northern India. As the only Indian state with a Muslim majority, it is the center of intense conflict among India, Pakistan, and China. Many Kashmiris believe their country should be part of Pakistan. That makes for tension between Kashmiris and the rest of primarily Hindu India.
India’s election for prime minister is taking place in seven phases over six weeks in this country of 1.3 billion people. Some 900 million are registered to vote to fill 543 seats in India’s lower house of Parliament. Voting concludes on May 19. Counting is scheduled for May 23.
The vote for prime minister is primarily between incumbent Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. Many people see the vote as a poll about the effectiveness of Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
Election campaigning has been tainted by accusations, insults, vote buying, and fake news. Some Kashmiri Muslim leaders are urging a boycott of the vote. They say it’s unlawful because of what they call Indian military occupation.
Anti-India unrest has risen significantly since Modi came to power in 2014 amid strong Hindu nationalism and attacks against Muslims and other minorities. Modi supporters say he has improved the nation’s global standing. But critics say his party has aggravated religious tensions in India.
In one Hindu-dominated district yesterday, men and women in long queues voted briskly. But polling stations in at least two Kashmir districts appeared deserted—with more police, soldiers, and election staff than voters.
(Indians wait to cast their votes in Chennai, India, Thursday, April 18, 2019. AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
