India Condemns Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Elections Amid Rigging Claims

The Ministry of External Affairs of India condemned Pakistan's legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as a "cosmetic electoral exercise" intended to mask illegal occupation and human rights violations. Indian officials reaffirmed that the union territories of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India.

The first phase of polling on July 27 saw the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) win nine of 13 seats, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing four. However, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused state institutions of favoring the PML-N and facilitating electoral manipulation. He claimed the PPP held the true public mandate and demanded an independent judicial commission to investigate the expulsion of polling agents and attacks on polling stations.

Violence marred the first phase, including the death of a PPP worker in Mirpur and the arrest of 24 people. The PoK Election Commission suspended two presiding officers for allegedly taking polling bags to a private residence. Concurrent mass protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) against economic exploitation and administrative oppression have further destabilized the region. Reported casualties from these clashes vary, with the JAAC stating at least 20 deaths and other reports citing as many as 34 fatalities.