Pakistan-administered Kashmir has opened polls in the first of three rounds of voting, following weeks of protests during which dozens of people were killed.
Key facts
- Polls have opened in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
- This is the first of three rounds of voting.
- The vote follows weeks of protests.
- Dozens of people were killed during the protests, according to Al Jazeera.
Voters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have started casting their ballots in the first of three planned rounds of voting, according to Al Jazeera. The opening of polls marks a significant moment in a process that has been overshadowed by recent unrest in the region.
The vote is taking place after weeks of protests, Al Jazeera reported. The demonstrations were marked by violence, with dozens of people killed during the period of unrest.
The reference to three separate rounds of voting indicates the electoral process is being carried out in stages rather than a single day of polling. The first round is now under way.
Al Jazeera characterised the vote as taking place in a region that has been “violence-wracked,” underscoring the tense environment surrounding the polls.
Beyond the confirmation that polls have opened and that the vote follows a period of deadly protests, further specific details about the candidates, the offices being contested and the schedule for the remaining rounds were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Elections held amid deadly unrest raise questions about security, participation and the credibility of the outcome. The staggered, three-round process in a region long marked by political sensitivity will be closely watched both within Pakistan and internationally.
Frequently asked questions
How many rounds of voting are there?
According to Al Jazeera, the vote is being held in three rounds, with the first round now under way.
What happened before the vote?
The polls follow weeks of protests during which dozens of people were killed, according to Al Jazeera.