Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Secretary Khushal Khan has announced that the election process of the AJK Legislative Assembly will officially commence on 27 July in accordance with the Constitution.
Addressing a press conference alongside Election Commission Secretary, the Chief Secretary said all election arrangements have been finalised, and polling materials have been delivered to the Returning Officers (ROs).
The Chief Secretary stated that the election campaign is in full swing across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with corner meetings being held and banners, posters and party flags prominently displayed. He added that leaders of major federal political parties have also arrived in Azad Kashmir to campaign and present their election manifestos.
He further said that approximately 17,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections. Police forces from all four provinces of Pakistan will assist the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police in providing security throughout the election process.
Voting has always remained peaceful in AJK, and the same tradition will continue this time as well, Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said. He added that voter turnout in the region has historically been high, and significant public participation is expected in the upcoming elections.
He said the election campaign has reached its peak in various areas, including the Mirpur division. The people are enthusiastic about choosing their representatives and are actively participating in the democratic process.
Responding to a question regarding misleading propaganda, he answered that authorities are closely monitoring those spreading misleading propaganda related to the elections on social media. Strict legal action will be taken against individuals who attempt to disrupt the electoral process or disturb public peace.
He said the people of Azad Kashmir have rejected chaos and politics of confrontation, expressing their confidence in the democratic system. All state institutions are fully prepared to ensure free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Secretary of the Election Commission Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan said the first phase of the Azad Kashmir elections will be held tomorrow in Mirpur. He said all arrangements have been completed, and an important meeting was held in Mirpur to review the final preparations.
According to the Election Commission secretary, around 22,000 election staff have been deployed, and polling materials have been delivered to polling stations.
He said the Chief Election Commissioner also visited Mirpur to review arrangements for ensuring free and transparent elections and expressed satisfaction with the preparations. Training of election staff has been completed transparently and effectively.
Security arrangements have been placed on high alert to ensure peaceful polling, with police, Rangers, and the Federal Constabulary deployed across the region. Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan said the right to vote is the greatest power of the people. He added that misleading impressions are being created through the circulation of old boycott-related videos on social media.
The election campaign has continued actively across all districts, with no major untoward incident reported so far. All political parties and candidates have accepted and followed the Election Commission’s code of conduct. He said citizens themselves are filing complaints against individuals attempting to hinder the election process, adding that public cooperation and complaint registration reflect people’s trust in the electoral system.
Read more: First phase of AJK general elections begins tomorrow in Mirpur
