Sham elections in IIOJK seen as occupation masquerading as democracy
#ElectionsUnderOccuaption
Srinagar: Amidst widespread condemnation, the first phase of India’s sham elections in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir began today, with neutral experts and locals condemning the process as a “farce” and nothing more than a “military drill”.
According to Kashmir Media Service, with over a million Indian troops watching over the polls, the electoral process has been rigged to favor pro-India parties through manipulative reforms and gerrymandering, diluting Muslim representation.
Experts and analysts have condemned New Delhi’s attempts to legitimize its occupation of IIOJK through these staged elections. Kashmiris are demanding a UN-sanctioned plebiscite, not manipulated polls. The granting of voting rights to outsiders has further eroded Kashmir’s political status, sparking concerns about the region’s future.
Kashmiri leaders have boycotted the elections, calling them a “ploy” to legitimize India’s occupation. “These elections are a sham, aimed at diverting attention from our struggle for self-determination,” they said.
Experts warn that the polls will further polarize the territory, exacerbating tensions between Kashmiris and the Indian government. “These elections are a recipe for disaster, undermining the very fabric of Kashmir’s identity,” said a political analyst.
The Modi government’s electoral tactics aim to legitimize the 2019 illegal abrogation. It’s time for the global community to acknowledge the reality of India’s occupation and support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
