India Calls PoK Polls a ‘Sham’, Flags Alleged Crackdown

New Delhi, August 04, 2026 India has strongly criticised the so-called local body elections being held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the exercise as an attempt to project normalcy despite ongoing public unrest. The government said the electoral process cannot conceal what it described as a deteriorating situation on the ground, including protests and alleged use of force by Pakistani security personnel. Addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the election exercise in PoK does not reflect the reality of the region. He claimed that at least 90 civilians have been killed and several others injured in actions by Pakistani security forces since June. He said, “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s so-called local elections are completely a sham. The reality on the ground is public protests and indiscriminate killings by Pakistani security forces. Such hollow elections cannot hide the reality.” Jaiswal further alleged that Pakistan was responding to public dissatisfaction with bullets, blackouts, threats and repression while attempting to gain legitimacy through what he called a hollow electoral exercise. He said Pakistan must be held accountable for its actions and urged the international community to recognise what India described as its double standards on human rights. Meanwhile, local media reports have cited incidents of clashes, allegations of electoral malpractice and the killing of political activists during the first phase of polling. The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has also intensified its protests. The group alleged that Pakistani security forces fired tear gas and opened fire on unarmed demonstrators in Bagh district on Tuesday, while also accusing security personnel of setting civilians’ motorcycles on fire in the Makri area of Muzaffarabad district. The JKJAAC has called on the United Nations, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), international media organisations and human rights groups to monitor the situation in PoK, seek an independent investigation and ensure accountability for those responsible for the alleged use of force. With protests continuing alongside the electoral process, the developments have further intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s handling of dissent in the region.