India's six-week long general election is entering its final stages with the fifth phase of voting being held. Among the regions going to the polls is Ladakh, which shares a border with China and Pakistan. It's seen months of protests calling for statehood.

Ladakh

The Himalayan region of Ladakh is actively engaged in the fifth phase of India's general election. Candidates from the ruling BJP, opposition Congress, and an independent party are campaigning for the region's sole parliamentary seat. This is the first election since Ladakh was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019, a move that has been a focal point of controversy.

Haji Hanifa Jaan, representing the Muslim-majority district of Kargil, views the election as a referendum on the 2019 decision to transform Ladakh into a union territory without local representation. In Leh, which has a Buddhist majority, the call for statehood and preservation of autonomy is a critical issue among voters. Initially, the region welcomed union territory status but has since become cautious about potential loss of autonomy.

Local leaders and civil society members have been protesting for months, demanding that Ladakh be granted special protection under the Indian constitution, similar to safeguards for tribal and indigenous populations in India's northeastern states. The BJP has pledged to address these local demands if re-elected, promising a constructive resolution in their manifesto.

The region's strategic importance, bordering China and Pakistan, adds to its significance in this election. Ladakh has a strong military presence and has witnessed significant events, such as the 2020 standoff between Indian and Chinese troops. Despite its historical divisions, the current election appears to have unified voters on their key demands.



Ladakh votes in fifth phase of India's elections

The Himalayan region of Ladakh, located some 3,000 meters above sea level, has been abuzz with election rhetoric. Candidates from the governing BJP, the opposition Congress and an independent party have been trying to drum up support for the only seat from the region. It's the first election since Ladakh was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019. The controversial move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government angered many. Haji Hanifa Jaan is tapping into this discontent in the Muslim-majority district of Kargil. We are taking this election as a referendum. These elections will send a strong message to the government that we strongly oppose what was done in 2019, when the people of Ladakh were not taken into consideration and the region was converted into a union territory without any democracy or a legislature. In the Buddhist-dominated district of Leh, the issue of statehood resonates with voters. The region initially celebrated the union territory status, but now is wary of losing its autonomy. The governing BJP says it will address the issues. In our manifesto, we have a four-point agenda of Ladakhi demands. We will resume dialogue after the formation of the government and will strive to achieve a constructive resolution that keeps the larger interests of Ladakh safe. For months, local leaders and civil society members have been holding protests. They want Ladakh's inclusion under a special section of the Indian constitution that protects areas with tribal and indigenous populations. It's in effect in four states in the northeast of India. Experts believe what's been happening in the region will have an impact. The recent protest in Ladakh, especially the hunger strike that was for Sikh schedule and statehood, that will definitely have an impact on election results. Particularly the ruling party, they promised a Sikh schedule for Ladakh not just once, but twice. So that's why people were angry, you know. Ladakh is strategically important, since it borders China and Pakistan. The Indian military maintains a strong presence in the region. In 2020, a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops killed at least 24 soldiers. Ladakh has long been divided on regional and religious lines. But now this election seems to have united voters on their demands. Iptisam Genfood, Al Jazeera.

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