Srinagar: The Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has issued a warning to foreign diplomats regarding the ongoing elections in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, labeling them as a deceptive effort by the Indian government to project an image of normalcy in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the call to foreign diplomats comes in the wake of India hosting them during the second phase of what the DFP describes as “farcical elections.” The elections are purportedly aimed at legitimizing India’s control over the territory, conducted under stringent restrictions.

DFP spokesman Advocate Arshad Iqbal, in a statement from Srinagar, criticized India’s strategy as an attempt to mislead the international community about the situation on the ground. Instead of allowing staged tours, Iqbal appealed for the admission of independent observers to genuinely assess the prevailing conditions.

The elections are intended to distract the Kashmiri population from their freedom movement, Iqbal explained, adding that India has historically orchestrated guided trips to divert global attention from the core issues at hand.

He highlighted the importance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and pointed out that a resolution to the Kashmir dispute is crucial for peace in the region.

Iqbal also denounced the current electoral process, pointing out electoral reforms and gerrymandering designed to dilute Muslim representation in the vote.

“The Indian government, which boasts of its democratic credentials, has brazenly violated UN Security Council resolutions,” Iqbal stated. He called on the visiting diplomats to undertake a comprehensive review and to recognize the gravity of the situation, which he noted as an internationally acknowledged dispute.