In Frames: People vote in J&K's first election in a decade

The people of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday voted in the first phase of the three-phased Assembly elections held after a gap of ten-years in the region. Photo: Aman Farooq/ GK

In the first phase, 24 assembly seats in seven districts went to polls. These include 17 from south Kashmir and nine from Jammu including the hilly regions of Doda and Kishtwar which have seen a spate of attacks on the armed forces in recent months. Photo: Aman Farooq/ GK

This is the first time an assembly election is being held in J-K after the Article-370 and 35 A were revoked from the Indian constitution, stripping J&K of its special status that protected the region's immovable property and the government jobs while it was also was downgraded into two Union Territories, separating the cold desert of Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir. Photo: Aman Farooq/ GK

This is also the first election after the delimitation of the region, where six more seats were added to the Jammu province, while only one was added to much populated Kashmir valley. Photo: Aman Farooq/ GK

With PDP being seen as betrayer for joining hands with the BJP in last assembly elections that were held in 2014, region's oldest party, JKNC, was seen as a favourite to win the polls. However, the surfacing of Sheikh Rashid or Engineer Rashid as he is popularly known, into the political scene of Kashmir, experts and critics say Rashid might pose a tough competition to the traditional NC. Photo: Aman Farooq/ GK

This, they connect to Rashid's imprisonment and his strong language to denounce recent decisions of New Delhi and the policies of successive regime's in both J&K and in Delhi, which Rashid says alienated Kashmiris and kept disempowering them as a people. Photo: CEO J&K

While JKNC and PDP have accused Rashid of being an ally of the BJP, citing his surprising release from the jail amid elections, Rashid's rallies in north and south Kashmir have witnessed a sea of youth supporters who demand end to unabated imprisonment and jobs. Photo: CEO J&K

Voters in first phase also echoed these demands, saying they want Kashmir's dwindling economy to be rescued, jobs, release of prisoners, less electricity bills, and a representative who speaks for them. Photo: CEO J&K

Elections are being held under intense security amid spate of attacks in the Jammu region, especially the hilly regions of Doda, Kishtwar,Udhampur and along the Pir Panjal range even as the first day of polling went on smooth, officials said. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

Voters in Pulwama said that in the LG administration people are unable to get their work done, be it for their area or for a personal purpose in some government department. Photo: CEO J&K

Polling staff inside a women operated polling booth. Photo: CEO J&K

While elections have been majorly boycotted in the region, the unusual participation in the recently held Lok Sabha elections and in the ongoing assembly polls suggest people want to answer New Delhi by their vote, politicians, leaders, and experts say. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

In south Kashmir, where polling stations were often deserted, witnessed a festive look Wednesday with people of all ages casting their votes. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK

An elderly couple after voting in south Kashmir's Pulwama. Photo: Mubashir Khan/ GK