The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has amended the AJK Election Act through a presidential ordinance. This amendment bars parties banned in Pakistan from contesting elections in the region.
Officials confirmed on Sunday that the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir promulgated the ordinance in Muzaffarabad.
The ordinance states that any proscribed political party in Pakistan, along with its affiliated or subsidiary organisations, may not participate in AJK elections.
The amendment also bars political wings or branches of restricted parties from participating in the electoral process. The ordinance includes new provisions for the 1989 migrant community, officials said.
Read: AJK Electoral Rolls to Be Issued on April 30
Registered refugees living in camps who change their residence may now cast votes from their new settlement, the ordinance states. The legal update comes as the Pakistan Peoples Party prepares to retain the presidency of AJK.
PPP sources said the party leadership approved the decision after internal consultations. As a result, the PPP will field its own candidate for the post.
The AJK presidency has remained vacant since the death of former President Barrister Sultan Mahmood on January 31.
Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, is currently serving as acting President. This will continue until authorities make a permanent appointment.
