Pakistan-administered Kashmir goes to the polls despite protests

Polls opened on Monday in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir where voting for the local legislature will take place in three rounds with heavy security following protests demanding electoral reforms.



With concerns growing over stretched security personnel during the demonstrations, the electoral commission announced less than a week before polls that voting would be split into three phases for the first time.



Witnesses said turnout in Mirpur district, the first area to vote, appeared low in the summer heat on Monday afternoon.



Some candidates complained internet restrictions imposed during the protests and ensuing deadly clashes had hampered their campaigns.



Around 3.8 million residents in the Pakistan-administered portion of the disputed Himalayan region were eligible to vote in an election seen as a test of security after weeks of clashes between police and protesters.