Srinagar: The upcoming elections in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are being criticized as a mere facade of democracy under the shadow of extensive military deployment. The presence of approximately one million troops and the suppression of key Hurriyat leaders highlight the contentious nature of these elections.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the electoral process in IIOJK is heavily influenced by the overwhelming presence of Indian military forces and the suppression of political dissent. Prominent leaders from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, including Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and Syeda Aasiya Andrabi, are detained in New Delhi’s Tihar jail. Additionally, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq faces intermittent house detention, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.

The report further criticizes the elections as an attempt by India to legitimize its controversial actions from August 2019 and to solidify its control over the region. The candidates participating in these elections are accused of representing Indian interests rather than the true will of the Kashmiri people.

In stark contrast, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference is recognized as a genuine representative body embodying the aspirations of the Kashmiris. Despite the detention of its leaders, the Hurriyat continues to advocate for a resolution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN resolutions. The Kashmiri populace remains steadfast in their demand for a UN-sanctioned plebiscite, opposing what they view as electoral manipulation by Indian authorities.