1996 Indian general election in Jammu and Kashmir

The 1996 Indian general election in Jammu and Kashmir was a significant political event that took place as part of the national elections held in April and May 1996. This election marked the first parliamentary polls in the region since 1989, following a period of widespread violence and political turmoil instigated by insurgency. The elections aimed to restore democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC) emerged as the principal contenders. Notably, increased security measures and political negotiations preceded the elections to ensure voter participation. The elections resulted in a decisive victory for the INC, which garnered a majority of the seats, thereby reinstituting a semblance of political stability in a region long affected by conflict.