Polling stations opened Monday in Pakistan-administered Kashmir under heavy security, marking the first phase of a three-round legislative election shadowed by weeks of deadly protests and a sweeping internet shutdown. The vote, seen as a test of stability, comes after nearly 40 people were killed in clashes since early June. Main Developments Voting began in Mirpur district, the first area to cast ballots in the phased election. Witnesses described turnout as low, with summer heat and security concerns likely contributing factors. About 3.8 million residents across the region are eligible to vote. Authorities have suspended mobile and internet services across most of the territory, effectively imposing an unofficial state of emergency. Independent candidate Malik Alauddin told AFP that the shutdown made campaigning far more difficult, forcing him to rely on door-to-door visits and small village gatherings instead of social media. Read also: 4 reasons US-Iran tensions risk a forever war The electoral commission split the vote into three phases due to concerns about stretched security personnel. Some candidates complained that internet restrictions imposed during the protests had hampered their ability to reach voters. Background The protests began in early June, initially demanding subsidised flour and cheaper electricity. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which led the movement, saw its demands expand to 38 points, with the central call being the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. In June, the local government banned JAAC under anti-terrorism laws. Its leadership has since been arrested, gone underground, or continued organising from sit-in camps in Rawalakot, the administrative hub of Poonch division, which became the epicentre of the unrest. JAAC supporters have called on residents to boycott the vote, arguing that the reserved seats allow major Pakistani political parties to tilt the local parliament in their favour using voters who mostly live outside the region. Why It Matters The election is a critical test of security and political stability in a region already scarred by decades of dispute between India and Pakistan. The violence and internet blackout raise questions about the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process. The outcome could influence the balance of power in the local legislature and signal the degree of public support for the protest movement’s demands, which have broadened beyond economic grievances to challenge the political structure itself. What's Next Two more rounds of voting are scheduled in the coming weeks. Authorities have not announced when mobile and internet services will be restored. The JAAC boycott and the ongoing crackdown on its leadership may continue to shape turnout and the perceived legitimacy of the results.