Polls underway for 7 reserved seats in AJK Legislative Assembly today

Voting is underway for seven reserved seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, with polls opening at 10 am and closing at 1 pm. These seats are crucial for the final composition of the assembly, which under Article 22(1) of the AJK Constitution, comprises 53 members.

The reserved seats include five for women, one for religious scholars (Ulema-i-Din or Mashaikh), one for state subjects residing abroad, and one for technocrats and professionals. Notably, PML-N's Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Arain was elected unopposed for the seat reserved for state subjects residing abroad after being the sole candidate to submit nomination papers.

Elections for seven directly elected seats were previously postponed due to law and order concerns, meaning 38 members elected so far will participate in today's reserved seat elections. Six candidates are competing for the five women's seats, primarily from the PML-N and PPP. The PPP has accused the ruling PML-N of widespread rigging in the earlier direct elections, adding political tension to the process.

The inaugural session of the new Legislative Assembly is scheduled for Monday afternoon, shortly after the results are announced. Outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar will administer the oath to the newly elected members. The elections have been conducted in phases since July 27 due to security concerns and unrest in the region.