Though America's voting system may be corrupt to a degree, we take for granted the ability to cast our ballot without fear for our lives. In Northern India, bordering Pakistan, Kashmiris voted in a state election protected by armed troops patrolling shuttered streets as part of a seven-stage election.

The Kashmiris, who were voting for "better roads and civic amenities" (Krittivas Mukherjee, Reuters) were being protected from separatist leaders being locked up during the process. 43,000 people have been killed in Kashmir over matters of governmental conflict since 1989.  In this year alone, 42 people have already been killed by the police during pro-independence protests in the Kashmir Valley.

Parties who will complete the first stage of voting today are expected to vote for democratic rule, whereas low turnout is expected in the Valley. "If the voting percentage is about 25-30, it is a boycott," Sajjad Lone, head of the separatist Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, told Reuters while on house arrest.

Muslim Kashmiris are rebelling somewhat against Indian rule in the "troubled" state and are voting for an improved government. "We are voting for a better candidate who can take care of the roads and better amenities but don't confuse this with the question of Azadi (freedom)," said 45-year-old carpet weaver, Ghulam Ahmad in Bandipora in northern Kashmir. Many who are voting in the valley feel the same.

Thirty-seven miles north of Sringar in Bandipora, another stage of the election will take place. The separatist leaders there want either to gain a Muslim majority or become part of Pakistan, and have "appealed for a boycott of the vote" after massive anti-India protests broke out in Kashmir this year.

The feeling is mixed, according to reporters covering the election. Some shout "Azadi Azadi" (freedom) from the streets while others, like young Tariq Ahmed, refuse to vote, saying "We don't want election, we want freedom."

This election is particularly complicated due to the mixed regions voting. Kashmir is controlled by both India and Pakistan, as well as a small population living in the Himalayan Mountains, controlled by China. The state of Jammu and Kashmir are made up of a Muslim-dominated society, which is Indian ruled, a Hindu dominated area in Jammu, as well as a Buddhist sect.

Such religious diversity leads to confusion and split ideals and in certain poor areas with lower turnout some fear the army may even force people to vote. "Separatist guerrillas" have used violence to fix elections in the past, but the United Jihad Council (UJC) has rejected such acts to force a boycott in this election. The group is "a Pakistan-based militant alliance fighting Indian troops in Kashmir." (Reuters)

An estimated 500,000 Indian troops are hanging out in the region to defend the voting process and fight off separatist militants looking to fix the election, outnumbering even the amount of voters.