Voting for the local legislature in Pakistan-administered Kashmir began on July 25, with three rounds of polling and heavy security, according to reports. The election follows weeks of protests that left dozens dead.
Around 3.8 million residents were eligible to vote, it was reported. Dozens of people were killed during weeks of protests before the election.
Independent candidate Malik Alauddin told AFP that the internet shutdown created serious difficulties for political candidates and the electoral process, making it much harder to reach voters.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) protest movement demanded the abolishment of 12 reserved seats in the local legislature for those who left the India-administered portion of Kashmir, according to reports. The local government banned JAAC under anti-terrorism laws in June, leading to new demonstrations and clashes that killed dozens and arrested hundreds.
Senior PTI leader Khawaja Farooq Ahmed said that with protests, arrests, police raids, criminal cases, and a weeks-long internet shutdown, the environment is not suitable for political parties to ask for votes.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for internet services to be restored, saying the blackout severely disrupted his party's campaign. Digital monitor Netblocks and residents reported widespread internet restrictions. The government has not confirmed the scale of the outage and said some connections have been restored.
Voting will conclude on Aug 10 in Poonch district, which was the epicentre of the protests, according to reports. The election is seen as an indicator of the performance of Pakistan's major political parties, halfway through the ruling PMLN's five-year term.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif campaigned for PMLN in Muzaffarabad. The PTI party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan is boycotting the election, according to reports.
Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan and has been divided since 1947.