India: BJP to Allow Up to 2.5M Non-Locals to Vote in Kashmir

Facts

• India is expected to allow up to 2.5M new voters in the contested Kashmir and Jammu region, a move which local political parties have denounced as an attempt to influence upcoming elections.¹
• The Muslim-majority region is claimed in full by Pakistan and India, but each controls respective sections after having fought two wars over the region. India stripped its portion of semi-autonomy in 2019, changing the constitution to allow non-Kashmiris to vote and own land.²
• If implemented, temporary electorates could expand the current population of 7.6M voters by more than 33%, a move that could result in many Hindu-nationalists of PM Modi's party emigrating to the region.³
• In the wake of the proposal, the UN is set to study whether the policy is an attempt by the Indian govt. to rig the upcoming elections. The UN Sec. General said its inquiries will be conducted 'fairly' and that all communities will be represented.²

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²CNN and ³La Prensa Latina Media.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Pakistan Today. This is clearly an attempt by the BJP to further impede the sovereignty and self-determination of the Kashmiris. The international community will see through India's sly attempts to change Kashmiri laws and alter the demographics of the region, and Kashmir is strong enough and determined to withstand these blatant illegal attacks.
• Narrative B, as provided by India Today. While it is true that Kashmir immigrants will be allowed to vote in Kashmir, that doesn't mean they'll be able to vote in multiple elections. Just as anyone in any country changes their address to vote in their new home city, Indians who move to Kashmir will be allowed to vote in that city.