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10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Kashmir state elections in october 2002 ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 6230]

"[...]6.176 As reported in a BBC news report dated 11 October 2002, voting in Kashmir State elections concluded in October 2002. The ruling National Conference party, which supports the BJP Government in Delhi, suffered a shock defeat, as it failed to win a majority in the new assembly. The party leader, Omar Abdullah, failed to win a seat. The final results in the 87-seat assembly were: National Conference 28, Congress 20, People's Democratic Party (PDP) 16, Independents 15, and others 8. [32ak] It was reported in a BBC news report dated 17 October 2002 that 50 activists of various political parties were killed in separatist violence during the elections, the bloodiest ever held in the State. The Indian Government said that more than 40% of the voters participated in the polls, in defiance of militants who had called for a boycott. [32al]
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6.183 According to the US Department of State report 2002 (USSD), “In November [2002] State Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir transferred power to a coalition composed of the People's Democratic Party and the Congress Party. International observers stated that the election took place in a somewhat fair and transparent manner; however, some non governmental organizations (NGOs) alleged that there were some flaws in the election, including that all major separatist groups boycotted the elections and there was a widespread fear of attacks by militants. These two parties defeated the National Conference, a political party that has dominated state-level politics since Indian independence in 1947. Violence remained a pervasive feature of politics in Jammu and Kashmir. The fall elections took place in a climate of sporadic violence and isolated irregularities. Electionrelated violence killed more than 800 persons.” [2d] (p.2)
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