As an illustration of the strength of In-dia's democracy, it was well-timed. On December 28th Jammu & Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state, declared the results of a surprisingly smooth election. Unlike previous polls in the state, which is dominated by India's portion of the divided Kashmir region (Pakistan controls a smaller part of Kashmir, and both countries claim all of it), the election was not rigged. Turnout was high, over 60%. Amid tight security-which included the detention of many unhappy separatists, who denounced the poll-it was unusually peaceful. Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference (NC) party, which maintained its position as Kashmir's biggest, winning 28 out of 87 seats, said he had not once worn a bullet-proof vest on the campaign trail. In campaigning during the state's previous election in 2002 he wore this garment almost every day.
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