Baramulla Elections: A Controversial Display in IIOJK

The parliamentary election in the Baramulla constituency of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has drawn attention not for its democratic engagement, but for the heavy presence of Indian troops under the guise of maintaining security. This situation raises significant questions about the fairness and legitimacy of the electoral process in the region.

Observers and critics argue that conducting elections in an environment saturated with approximately one million military personnel undermines the very essence of free and fair elections. The overwhelming military presence suggests that the elections are less about democratic choice and more about maintaining control over a restive population.

Critics of the election process claim that what is being portrayed as a democratic exercise is, in reality, a military operation designed to project an image of normalcy and legitimacy over India’s controversial hold on Jammu and Kashmir. They argue that New Delhi uses these elections to mask the ongoing occupation and to justify its actions post-August 2019, when significant changes were made to the region’s autonomy.

The Modi government is particularly criticized for using these elections to lend an air of legitimacy to its unilateral decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019. By staging these polls, India aims to demonstrate to the international community that the region is functioning democratically under its governance, despite widespread local and international condemnation of its actions.

Despite these efforts, there is a prevailing belief among many, including the local Kashmiri population, that such election dramas cannot quash the enduring spirit of resistance and the demand for self-determination. The elections are seen not as a step towards resolving the dispute but as an attempt to further entrench Indian control.

The recurring theme among Kashmiri critics is that these elections do not address the fundamental issue—the right to self-determination. The denial of this right and the ongoing presence of Indian troops are viewed as key elements in the oppression of Kashmiris. Critics assert that India’s portrayal of itself as a democracy is hollow if it continues to deny the people of Jammu and Kashmir their basic democratic rights.

In essence, the elections in Baramulla and the broader Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are seen by many as a charade. The local populace, largely rejecting these elections, continues to demand the withdrawal of Indian forces and the implementation of United Nations resolutions that call for a plebiscite to determine the region’s future.