The Farce of Upcoming Elections in IIOJK

The upcoming elections in Indian-illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are widely seen as a sham, designed to create a facade of normalcy in the region.

With approximately one million troops stationed in the territory, and the ban on significant political groups like the Hurriyat organizations, the legitimacy of these elections is highly questionable. Key figures of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), including Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, are imprisoned in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Additionally, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq faces frequent house arrests. Given these circumstances, the notion that these elections represent the true will of the people or reflect genuine democratic principles is dubious.

India’s primary goal appears to be to legitimize its actions from August 2019 and strengthen its illegal control over the region. By staging these elections, India aims to obscure the real situation in Jammu and Kashmir and mislead the international community about the true state of affairs.

Reports suggest that the candidates in these elections do not genuinely represent the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Instead, they are seen as advancing Indian agendas rather than addressing the legitimate desires of the local population.

In contrast, the APHC truly represents the sentiments and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. This organization is dedicated to resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions. The detention of APHC leaders has not diminished the commitment of the Kashmiri people to their cause. They continue to pursue their struggle for freedom and UN-sanctioned plebiscite, viewing the current elections as mere theatrical events lacking real substance.

The upcoming elections are thus viewed as a ploy by India to perpetuate its control and misrepresent the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The continued detention of key political leaders and the presence of a large military force underscore the lack of genuine democratic process. The Kashmiri people remain steadfast in their pursuit of self-determination, advocating for a fair resolution in line with international resolutions rather than participating in what they see as a superficial electoral exercise.