India announced a three-phase assembly election in Kashmir, the first in a decade, set to occur between September 18 and October 1, with votes counted on October 4. This marks the first election in the region since it was stripped of its semi-autonomy and downgraded to a federally controlled territory by the Indian government in 2019.

The region has since been managed by a New Delhi-appointed administrator and operated by bureaucrats. The upcoming election will select a local government, including a chief minister and council of ministers from pro-India parties. However, the assembly's legislative powers will be limited, with key decisions and law-making authority retained by India's parliament in New Delhi. Local leaders have called for the restoration of full statehood and legislative powers to the region.

Public reaction to the election announcement has been mixed, with some expressing relief that elections are finally taking place, while others, including political figures, criticized the move as insufficient. The elections will cover 90 constituencies, excluding Ladakh, with the region's assembly having previously been dissolved in 2018. The Indian government redrew assembly constituencies in 2022, adding new seats to Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.

Kashmir, a disputed territory claimed by both India and Pakistan, has experienced a long-standing conflict, with militants opposing New Delhi's control. While violence has decreased since 2019, there has been a recent uptick in militant attacks. In the past, Kashmiri separatist leaders have called for boycotts of elections, viewing them as illegitimate under military occupation.