MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced on Saturday that the Election Commission had decided to prioritize completing the electoral process in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts for security reasons, with voting in the remaining seven constituencies of Poonch division potentially scheduled for August 20 or 21.
Addressing journalists at his office, Justice Mughal stated that the commission would announce election dates for Poonch and Sudhnoti districts within the next seven days, allowing voters sufficient time for campaigning.
The Poonch division comprises 11 constituencies—three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch, and two in Sudhnoti—with a total of 1,154,626 registered voters. Voting on Monday will occur in four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli, involving 460,371 eligible voters, including 238,664 men and 221,707 women, across 803 polling stations with 1,254 polling booths.
Eighty-two candidates are contesting the elections, with the highest number—30—fielded for LA-14 (Central Bagh), and the lowest—nine—for LA-17 (Haveli). The candidates include one sitting prime minister, two former prime ministers, one sitting minister, three former ministers, and one AJK Council member.
“I appeal to the people of Bagh and Haveli to complete the process of change through their votes,” Justice Mughal said, emphasizing that voting is “not only their democratic right but also a religious obligation, ensuring that public trust reaches its rightful recipient.”
He noted that security personnel have already been deployed in Bagh and Haveli, with polling material transportation underway under army supervision. When questioned about oath-taking ceremonies for elected representatives, Justice Mughal confirmed there is no constitutional barrier but suggested a moral consideration to delay oaths until the entire House is constituted after completing elections in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.
“Once the House is complete, elections for reserved seats will follow, along with elections for the speaker, deputy speaker, and leader of the House,” he added.
The CEC emphasized that eight security personnel will be deployed at each highly sensitive polling station identified from a security perspective. He further stated that security personnel previously deployed in Muzaffarabad have been relocated to Bagh and Haveli.
To facilitate result compilation and transmission, the Election Commission plans to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10.
Regarding allegations of rigging, Justice Mughal acknowledged the Election Commission’s limitations in responding to such claims through statements or political rhetoric. He assured that post-election, the commission will present facts to the public regarding any potential rigging incidents and those responsible.
Explaining the results compilation process, Justice Mughal clarified that the Returning Officer prepares the result, with counting conducted in the presence of candidate polling agents.
Earlier, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed that the PML-N would form the government in AJK with a two-thirds majority. Speaking at a rally in Bagh ahead of the third election phase, he addressed the modified schedule, which now covers only Bagh and Haveli districts instead of the entire Poonch division due to law and order concerns.