Pakistan’s ruling party has taken a commanding lead in the Kashmir legislative assembly election, with candidates backed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party winning 24 of the 34 seats decided so far.
The election, held in three phases due to security concerns and heavy monsoon rains, saw a turnout of over 56% in the regional capital, despite calls for a boycott by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and weeks of protests.
Kashmir Election Results
The Pakistan Muslim League-N party is on course to form the next regional government, marking its return to power in Pakistan-administered Kashmir after a decade. The elections are being held to fill 45 seats in the legislative assembly, with voting for the remaining 11 seats scheduled for August 10.
The JAAC, which demands greater political rights for the people of Kashmir, had urged residents not to vote, but analysts say the election has reinforced public confidence in the democratic process. The dispute over 12 seats reserved for people displaced from Indian-controlled Kashmir has been a major issue in the election campaign.
Implications of the Election
The election result is significant, as it comes amid tensions between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir region, which both countries claim in its entirety. The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought two wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.
The outcome of the election is expected to have implications for the region’s stability and the relationship between Pakistan and India. With the Pakistan Muslim League-N party set to form the next regional government, it remains to be seen how the party will address the issues that led to the protests and calls for a boycott.
