The third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections has been postponed in Poonch and Palandri districts due to the prevailing law and order situation, the Election Commission spokesperson announced.
According to the Election Commission, polling scheduled for August 10 will not take place in the constituencies of Poonch and Palandri. However, voting will be held as planned on August 10 in three constituencies of Bagh district and one constituency of Haveli district.
The decision to postpone the elections was taken in light of security concerns and requests submitted to the Election Commission by several political leaders and election candidates regarding the law and order situation.
The Election Commission said a new polling date and a revised election schedule will be announced after reviewing the overall situation and taking all relevant factors into consideration.
The spokesperson added that the postponement aims to ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful environment.
Earlier, polling for the AJK Legislative Assembly was held in eight constituencies of Muzaffarabad and 12 constituencies reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan.
Elections were originally scheduled in nine constituencies of the Muzaffarabad Division. However, the Election Commission postponed polling in LA-1 Muzaffarabad due to unavoidable circumstances. Polling at some stations in LA-2 Lachhrat was also postponed.
Voting in these two constituencies, as well as in LA-27 and LA-28 Muzaffarabad, which were postponed due to bad weather, will now be held on August 4.
Also read: Situation in Muzaffarabad remains normal