SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Voting in the final phase of the election to choose a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir began Tuesday in the first such vote since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stripped the disputed region of its special status five years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 65.58 per cent till 7 pm in the third and final phase of the assembly elections in the Union territory. According to a data shared by

Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections are reaching their final phase, with voting slated for. Voters will cast their ballots across 40 assembly seats. The election's last phase sees over 3.9 million people ready to vote.

India’s northern-most region of Jammu and Kashmir concludes local elections on Tuesday as concerns mount of an uncertain outcome that may delay economic progress in the restive province.

Among the 40 constituencies, the highest voter turnout was recorded in Akhnoor at 76.28 per cent, while Sopore saw the lowest voter turnout of 41.44 percent. As polling began in the 40 Assembly segments across seven districts of

Ahead of the final phase of a local election in Indian-controlled Kashmir, a key resistance leader says the regional polls to choose a local government will not resolve the decades-old conflict that is at the heart of a dispute between New Delhi and Pakistan.

Indian-administered side of the disputed region is voting in the first polls since New Delhi revoked its autonomy in 2019