rki.news

Altaf Hamid Rao

MIRPUR (AJK), July 9: Preparations for the scheduled July 27 General Elections to the 53-seat Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly have entered the final phase, with the Election Commission of AJK completing arrangements to ensure free, fair, and transparent polls.
According to AJK Election Commission sources, election activities have gained momentum following the announcement of the election schedule, with major political parties launching vigorous campaigns to secure public support across the region.
The Election Commission has issued the final list of candidates contesting the 33 general seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly and 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan. A total of 846 candidates are participating in the elections, representing various political parties as well as independent candidates.
The polling scheme for the July 27 elections has also been finalised. Official figures show that the total number of registered voters in AJK stands at 3,804,368, including 2,001,655 male voters and 1,802,715 female voters who will cast their votes to elect representatives for the next five-year term.
To facilitate voters and ensure a smooth electoral process, 6,983 polling stations have been established across AJK and designated areas of Pakistan for refugee constituency voters.
The Election Commission said arrangements related to security, transportation of election materials, and deployment of polling staff are being completed. It has also directed all political parties and candidates to strictly follow the election code of conduct.
A competitive electoral contest is expected among major political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) AJK, Istihkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and other regional and national political groups.
Party leaders and candidates are actively conducting public meetings, corner meetings, and election gatherings as campaigns intensify across the territory.
Political observers believe the elections will play an important role in shaping the future political direction of AJK, with the outcome likely to influence the regional political landscape.
As polling day approaches, the Election Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting peaceful, impartial, and transparent elections, while political parties are making final efforts to gain voter confidence.