MUZAFFARABAD: AJK elections began Monday, July 27, in 13 Mirpur Division constituencies. Here, 1,401,439 registered voters can choose among 296 candidates, election officials said.
Voting started at 8 am and will continue without interruption until 5 pm. The first phase covers four constituencies in Mirpur district, six in Kotli and three in Bhimber.
Candidates from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and other groups are contesting. Independents are also participating.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said authorities had deployed security personnel across the constituencies. He also warned that officials would take legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt polling.
Read:AJK Election Code Caps Campaign Spending at Rs5m
The Election Commission suspended and arrested two presiding officers in Kotli. This happened after they allegedly visited a private residence instead of reporting to their assigned polling stations.
Returning officers recovered the polling bags and appointed replacements. The Election Commission divided voting into three phases to ensure sufficient security deployment. Mughal said political parties supported the revised schedule.
Polling in nine Muzaffarabad Division constituencies and 12 refugee constituencies will take place on August 2. Voters in 11 constituencies of Poonch Division will cast their ballots on August 10.
Presiding officers will provide polling agents with Form-24 after counting. This will allow them to receive unofficial results from their constituencies on polling day.
