Kashmir Elections: A Sham Attempt to Legitimize Occupation

The recent assembly elections in India’s Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have been criticized for being more about optics than democracy, occurring under the watch of over a million Indian troops and a repressive security structure. These elections are viewed as a charade organized by the Indian state to provide a veneer of democracy while the genuine desires of the Kashmiri people remain unheard. The international community must hold India accountable for its actions in Kashmir, as human rights violations, electoral fraud, and demographic changes constitute breaches of international law.

A History of Rigged Elections and Broken Promises

Elections in Kashmir have historically been fraught with controversy, including rigging, boycotts, and bloodshed. The 1987 state elections were particularly traumatic, as widespread suspicions of vote fraud sparked a massive rebellion that altered the region’s political and social fabric. This fraudulent process continues to influence public perception today, with many Kashmiris viewing the electoral system as an instrument of occupation rather than a method of representation.

The current elections, the first since Kashmir’s special status was revoked, are also being condemned. Analysts, politicians, and Kashmiri leaders alike see the process as a charade organized by the Indian state to provide a veneer of democracy while the genuine desires of the Kashmiri people go unheard. Many prominent political figures in Kashmir, including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, have publicly criticized the polls, calling them a sham intended to rubber-stamp New Delhi’s agenda.

Military Occupation Masquerading as Democracy

The presence of over a million Indian troops in Kashmir, along with a repressive security apparatus, casts a long shadow over the alleged polls. These forces are not there to preserve democracy; they are there to uphold India’s occupation. In an environment where dissent is met with incarceration, torture, or worse, it is impossible to conceive how an election could be deemed free and fair.

Since 2019, Kashmir has been under a quasi-military lockdown, characterized by periodic curfews, internet outages, and a suffocating crackdown on free expression. Many Kashmiri politicians, journalists, and activists have been arrested under harsh anti-terror legislation, effectively suppressing any form of opposition. In such circumstances, the idea of a genuine election becomes a cruel joke.

Reports from the ground indicate that these elections are more militarized than democratic. Paramilitary troops actively protect polling locations, and voters face severe scrutiny. The Modi government seeks to portray high voter participation as a success for Indian democracy, but the truth is far more nuanced. Many Kashmiris are voting not because they believe in the system but because they wish to oppose the BJP’s policies, which they see as a direct attack on the region’s Muslim-majority demographic and cultural identity.

Demographic Engineering and Electoral Manipulation

One of the most sinister aspects of these elections is the Modi government’s apparent attempt to alter the political landscape through gerrymandering and granting outsiders voting rights. By redrawing electoral borders and allowing non-Kashmiris to vote, the BJP aims to dilute the political power of the region’s indigenous population, which is predominantly Muslim. This demographic engineering attacks not only Kashmir’s identity but also its political institutions.

Since 2019, the BJP has introduced rules allowing non-residents to buy land in Kashmir, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to change the region’s demographic makeup. This has fueled suspicions of settler colonialism, wherein the indigenous population is marginalized in their own territory. Thus, the elections held under these new conditions are not exercises in democratic representation but rather efforts to cement Indian power and marginalize Kashmiris.

A Call for International Intervention

The global community cannot continue to ignore the charade unfolding in Kashmir. India’s fraudulent elections are not symbols of democracy but rather desperate attempts to legitimize an unlawful occupation. Kashmiris have repeatedly called for a United Nations-sanctioned vote to determine their fate—a right guaranteed by UN Security Council resolutions but yet to be fulfilled. However, India has consistently obstructed these efforts, fully aware that a free and fair referendum would likely result in a landslide vote for independence or accession to Pakistan.

The international community must hold India accountable for its actions in Kashmir. Human rights violations, electoral fraud, and attempts to alter the region’s demographic makeup are all violations of international law. The longer the world remains silent, the more entrenched the occupation becomes, making it increasingly difficult for Kashmir to attain its long-sought self-determination.

Conclusion

Elections in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have become instruments of oppression rather than instruments of liberty. The Modi government’s aim is clear: to use the façade of democracy to obscure the harsh reality of military occupation and demographic engineering. However, no number of manufactured elections can erase the Kashmiri people’s desire for independence.

Kashmiris do not need phony elections; they need the ability to choose their future. Unless this privilege is granted, no election in the region can be regarded as valid. The world community must recognize these elections for what they are: a cynical move to strengthen India’s unlawful control over Kashmir. It is imperative that the world supports the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination, justice, and peace.