Under the deployment of approximately 1 million security forces, elections are more of a military exercise than a democratic practice. This also belittles the claim of normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir.
State Assembly Elections are being conducted for the first time in a decade, five years after BJP government suspended the state legislature and brought the Muslim-majority region under India’s direct rule.
It is pertinent to mention that the election scheduled was announced shortly after Indian government expanded the powers of its hand-picked administrator in the region
Lt Governor of IIOJK has been given extensive administrative powers related to police, public order, all India service, transfers and postings; thus curtailing the powers of newly elected CM (Flag B).
Last census in IIOJK was conducted in 2011, Indian government could not conduct fresh census even after 13 years which expose the myth of normalcy in IIOJK.
BJP has brought to fore number of proxies which are meant to divide Muslim vote. Some of these proxies are as under: -
Out of 908 candidates contesting the elections in IIOJK, more than 40% (360 plus) are independents. These have also been brought up by BJP and SFs with a view to split Muslim vote. On an average, there are five Independent candidates for each seat in Kashmir (Flag C).
Indian authorities have extensively used tactics like arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and pressure to coerce APHC leaders into either abandoning their stance or diluting their demands (Flag D).
APHC is banned and approximately 48 x leaders are in illegal custody. Many of these leaders have been imprisoned under stringent laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which allow for detention without trial. No level playing field. (Flag E).
The J&K issue is an internationally recognized dispute that must be resolved in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Only acceptable solution to the Kashmir issue is a UN-supervised plebiscite, in line with UNSC resolutions.
Elections are "sham" and "cosmetic" exercise meant to create false sense of normalcy and legitimacy in IIOJK.
Demographic changes. Demographic changes have been started in Jammu (through settlers/ issue of domiciles) to offset Muslim majority of Valley. In this regard 3.2 million domicile certificates have been issued to non-residents (Flag A).
Disproportionate increase in state assembly seats; Jammu-6, Valley-1, by creating a manipulated majority in Jammu region. This is irrational in view of population.
Delimitation. 22 x constituencies have been redrawn through gerrymandering, with an aim of creating Hindu majority. Key outcomes of the delimitation exercise include the allocation of 6 x additional seats to Jammu and 1 x to Kashmir, which has favored Hindu-majority areas.
