AJK elections: Second phase to cover Muzaffarabad division and refugee constituencies

The second phase of elections for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly is set to take place on Sunday, with 340 candidates vying for 21 seats. The elections will be held across nine constituencies in the Muzaffarabad division and 12 constituencies designated for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan.

In Muzaffarabad division, 207 candidates are contesting nine seats, including five in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. For the refugee constituencies, which represent individuals from the Kashmir Valley and Jammu, 137 candidates are competing for six seats each. A significant number of voters are registered, with 809,621 in Muzaffarabad division and 438,834 in the refugee constituencies.

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There is no substitute for the vote, and every citizen should fulfil this national responsibility.

To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, internet services were suspended less than 45 hours after being restored, a measure aimed at deterring disruptions. Officials indicated that services are expected to resume on Sunday. The AJK Election Commission confirmed that polling will proceed as scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. without a break.

Stringent security measures are in effect, with 1,483 polling stations established in Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 are classified as highly sensitive. Similarly, 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the refugee constituencies. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged voters to participate actively in the democratic process, emphasizing the importance of the vote in choosing future leadership and fulfilling a national responsibility.

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The vote was a trust that should be entrusted to an honest and competent candidate.