Mehbooba Mufti Warns of Mass Electoral Manipulation in IIOJK

Mehbooba Mufti, President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a plain warning about the potential for electoral manipulation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, drawing parallels to the infamous 1987 elections. Addressing rallies in the Baramulla parliamentary constituency in north Kashmir, Mufti alleged that current authorities are employing tactics similar to those used in the 1987 elections, which were marked by widespread rigging and subsequent bloodshed.

In her speeches, Mufti accused the New Delhi-installed administration in Jammu and Kashmir of exerting undue pressure on officers from specific communities to support candidates aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She suggested that these actions echo the manipulative practices of 1987, when electoral fraud dramatically altered the region’s political landscape and led to violent unrest.

Mufti claimed that the head of administrative affairs in Jammu and Kashmir has summoned officers from certain communities, threatening them with severe consequences if they do not back BJP proxy candidates. “I fear a 1987-like situation is being repeated,” she stated, highlighting concerns that these coercive measures could undermine the democratic process and stoke further conflict.

Furthermore, Mufti drew historical comparisons to the turmoil of 1947, implying that current electoral pressures and threats bear a resemblance to past periods of intense strife. She emphasized that today’s youth are driven to vote out of a desire to express their grievances and hardships. She warned that manipulating these elections could lead to severe and possibly violent repercussions, as disenfranchised voters might react strongly against perceived injustices.

Mufti also addressed the broader issues facing Kashmiri youth, many of whom are imprisoned outside the region. She pointed out the struggles their families face in navigating the legal system to secure their release. “This election is about those youth – to get them freed,” she asserted, framing the election as a critical juncture for addressing the broader socio-political grievances of the Kashmiri people.

The situation reflects a sham democracy in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the critical need for transparent and fair electoral practices. The allegations of coercion and manipulation pose a significant threat to the region’s stability and the trust of its people in the electoral process.