rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK): April 2 – The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has clarified that the enlistment of non-Muslims and Qadianis in separate registered voter lists for the upcoming AJK General Elections 2026 can only be implemented after proper legislation by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
According to an official press release issued by the Election Commission spokesperson, the matter was raised by some political representatives during a March 28 meeting of the Election Commission. The spokesperson stated that since the issue involves legal and constitutional provisions, it has been referred to the government for necessary legislation before any implementation.
The spokesperson further said that certain refugee representatives also demanded changes in election eligibility rules for female candidates from Jammu and Kashmir refugee constituencies. They proposed that female candidates belonging to the Jammu region should be allowed to contest elections from Kashmir Valley constituencies and vice versa. The Commission stated that this matter also requires formal legislation before any decision can be implemented.
The Election Commission added that it is addressing other election-related demands raised by political parties that fall within its administrative authority.
Meanwhile, the Commission has extended the schedule for preparation of electoral rolls of refugees residing in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir by five additional days. The voter registration process will now continue until April 7, 2026. The Commission urged all eligible voters to complete their registration within the revised timeline to ensure participation in the 2026 general elections.