Cosmetic electoral exercise by Pak-occupied Kashmir occupation: India
India criticized Pakistan’s electoral activity in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as an illegitimate, “cosmetic electoral exercise” meant to project normalcy and legitimacy over occupation.
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is the part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan’s control; India treats it as Indian territory.
- In territorial disputes, parties often contest both control and legitimacy of rule — meaning whether governing institutions are lawful and representative.
- India criticises Pakistan’s election-related activity in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and calls it aimed at projecting normalcy and legitimacy over the occupation.
What happened
India criticized Pakistan’s electoral activity in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and described it as a “cosmetic electoral exercise.” India argued that Pakistan’s electoral activity aims to project normalcy and legitimacy over occupation rather than establish a legitimate democratic process.
Background and earlier position
UPSC can treat India’s criticism as a case of how states contest disputed territories through legitimacy narratives around governance, not only through territorial control. India’s position links elections under occupation to claims about legitimacy and representative governance.
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