Congressional Statements

Congratulating India on successful democratic elections in Jammu & Kashmir

Statement in House of Representatives
October 10, 2002

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity on the House floor to congratulate India and its election commission on the successful conclusion of free, fair, and transparent elections in Jammu and Kashmir for an 87-member state assembly.

The challenges experienced by candidates, political workers, and voters were extreme in this election. Targeted violence by terrorists was used as a tool for the specific purpose of foiling these elections and impeding this exercise in democracy.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir were very brave to literally risk their lives in order to participate in these elections. In fact, the outcome of these elections was such a success that during the fourth phase of polling an estimated 52 percent of the nearly 450,000 electorate exercised their right to vote in six constituencies of the Doda district alone.

The example of these elections further reiterates India´s dedication to democracy since it gained independence over 50 years ago. It is no wonder that the United States and India, the world´s two largest democracies, are partners in the ongoing effort to build a more democratic world.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately the same cannot be said about Pakistan. Not only has militant infiltration across the Kashmir border increased over the past 2 months, but in addition there is much concern that the legislative elections currently being held in Pakistan are a sham. President Musharraf has single-handedly emasculated the leadership of major political parties that oppose him, and he has altered the constitution to such an extreme degree that it is clear that the outcome of the election will favor a party of politicians or the "King´s Party" who are directly under his control. And this is deliberate and I think absolutely undemocratic.

Mr. Speaker, the point I am trying to make is that we have two neighboring countries but that their electoral process and government structure could not be more different. As Indian citizens of Jammu and Kashmir faced potential death by heading to the polls over the last 4 weeks, these citizens courageously cast their votes, and I believe this democratic will and exercise on the part of the Indian Government and its people must be appropriately commended. And again, Mr. Speaker, that is why I felt it was necessary for me to speak on this important issue this late in the evening.