The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has confirmed that the region’s general elections will be conducted in three separate phases, a move officials say is designed to keep the voting process peaceful, orderly and transparent.
Under the newly released timetable, voters in Mirpur will head to the polls on July 27, followed by Muzaffarabad on August 2 and Poonch on August 10. Results for each district will be declared in stages, in line with the staggered voting dates.
Why the Election Commission Chose a Phased Approach
Explaining the rationale, the Chief Election Commissioner of AJK said breaking the vote into three stages allows authorities to maintain better security and order throughout the electoral process. Running the elections district by district, he noted, makes it easier to manage logistics and reduce the risk of disruptions.
On the question of security, the commissioner clarified that troops are called in only when a situation escalates beyond what civilian law enforcement can handle. He pushed back against characterizations of Azad Kashmir’s current security climate as severely unstable, suggesting such descriptions overstate the reality on the ground.
He also addressed rumors that had been circulating about a possible delay or postponement of the vote. Despite the speculation, he said, the commission opted to move forward with the phased polling plan specifically to protect the credibility and transparency of the exercise.
The commissioner further reminded the public that the Election Commission’s constitutional mandate is limited to organizing and overseeing elections, not to administering the affairs of government. He said the body intends to stay within that mandate as polling day approaches.
Political Parties Ramp Up Campaign Activity
Meanwhile, major political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), are actively campaigning across the region ahead of the phased vote.
The campaign season has also produced some political sparring. On Monday, PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan responded to comments made earlier by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding the suspension of internet services in AJK.
Speaking with reporters, Khan said he continues to regard Bilawal as a respected political figure but suggested the PPP chairman should raise the internet issue directly with the AJK government rather than through public statements. He argued that questions about restoring internet access in the region should be directed to the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out that the PPP currently holds government there.
As campaigning intensifies and the first phase of voting in Mirpur draws closer, attention will remain on how the Election Commission balances security concerns with its commitment to a transparent and credible electoral process across all three districts.