AJK polls: Voting in remaining Poonch division seats may be held by Aug 20-21, says CEC

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, announced that polls in the remaining seven constituencies of the Poonch division could be held by August 20 or 21. This decision was made for security reasons, prioritizing the completion of the electoral process in four constituencies within the Bagh and Haveli districts first.

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I appeal to the people of Bagh and Haveli to complete the process of change through their votes.

The Poonch division encompasses 11 constituencies across Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, and Sudhnoti districts, with a total of 1,154,626 registered voters. Monday's polling will focus on four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli, where 460,371 voters are eligible to cast their ballots at 803 polling stations. A total of 82 candidates are competing, with the highest number in LA-14 (Central Bagh) and the lowest in LA-17 (Haveli).

Justice Mughal appealed to the voters of Bagh and Haveli to participate in the electoral process, emphasizing that voting is both a democratic right and a religious obligation. Security personnel have been deployed to Bagh and Haveli, and polling materials are being transported under army supervision. The Election Commission plans to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10 to aid in the compilation and transmission of results.

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voting was “not only their democratic right but also a religious obligation, as it is their responsibility to ensure that the trust reaches its rightful recipient”.

Regarding allegations of rigging, the CEC stated that the Election Commission has limitations in responding to such claims. He also addressed the oath-taking of successful candidates, noting that while there are no constitutional impediments, there are moral grounds to wait until the entire House is complete after the polls in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts. Following the completion of the House, elections for reserved seats, speaker, deputy speaker, and leader of the House will be held.

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The Election Commission has its own limitations. Political leaders’ allegations cannot be answered through sta