Thousands vote in Kashmir state elections amid boycott call

Published November 25, 2014
An Indian paramilitary soldier asks a Kashmiri voter to join others in a queue as he sits outside a polling station. — Photo by AP
An Indian paramilitary soldier asks a Kashmiri voter to join others in a queue as he sits outside a polling station. — Photo by AP
Young migrant Kashmiri Hindus display the indelible ink mark on their fingers after casting their votes. — Photo by AP
Young migrant Kashmiri Hindus display the indelible ink mark on their fingers after casting their votes. — Photo by AP
Indian paramilitary soldiers guard a polling booth set up for migrant Kashmiris. — Photo by AP
Indian paramilitary soldiers guard a polling booth set up for migrant Kashmiris. — Photo by AP
A polling officer (R) puts an ink mark on the finger of a voter. — Photo by AP
A polling officer (R) puts an ink mark on the finger of a voter. — Photo by AP
Kashmiri men line up to cast their votes.  — Photo by AP
Kashmiri men line up to cast their votes. — Photo by AP
An elderly Kashmiri woman casts her vote at a polling station set up inside a school. — Photo by AP
An elderly Kashmiri woman casts her vote at a polling station set up inside a school. — Photo by AP
Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard beside a highway.  — Photo by AP
Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard beside a highway. — Photo by AP
An Indian paramilitary soldier asks Kashmiri voters to stand in queue as they wait outside a polling station.  — Photo by AP
An Indian paramilitary soldier asks Kashmiri voters to stand in queue as they wait outside a polling station. — Photo by AP
Kashmiri men stand in queue to cast their votes outside a polling station.  — Photo by AP
Kashmiri men stand in queue to cast their votes outside a polling station. — Photo by AP
Kashmiris stand in queue to cast their votes outside a polling station. — Photo by AP
Kashmiris stand in queue to cast their votes outside a polling station. — Photo by AP
Kashmiri women wait in a queue to cast their votes.  — Photo by AP
Kashmiri women wait in a queue to cast their votes. — Photo by AP

Thousands of Kashmiris cast votes in state elections despite a boycott call by Muslim separatist groups who reject India's claim over the disputed Himalayan region. The five phased voting is scheduled to be held until December 20 with the results expected on December 23. The multistage voting will elect a local government — a chief minister who will serve as the state's top official and a council of ministers — from the pro-India parties participating in the elections.

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