AJK poll body issues strict election warning

The commission also prohibited the announcement of new development

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission has warned political parties and election candidates against violating the electoral code of conduct ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The commission said strict action would be taken against anyone found using government resources or machinery for election campaigning.

An AJK Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers could participate in election campaigns but would not be allowed to use official protocol, vehicles or government resources for political purposes.

The commission also prohibited the announcement of new development schemes, financial packages and public welfare projects during the election campaign. Any such announcement would be treated as a violation of the electoral code.

The spokesperson warned that vehicles, equipment and relief supplies provided by the federal or provincial governments could be confiscated if they were used for electoral purposes. Legal action would also be taken against those responsible for violations.

The warning came during a meeting in Mirpur chaired by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal to review preparations for the upcoming polls.

Senior officials from the Election Commission, district administrations and police departments attended the meeting. Officials briefed the chief election commissioner on security and administrative arrangements in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber.

Mughal expressed satisfaction with the preparations and stressed that the elections must be conducted in a peaceful, free, fair and impartial manner.

He said all relevant institutions would have to work together to ensure the smooth completion of the polling process and counter rumours surrounding the elections.

The chief election commissioner said security agencies were responsible for protecting polling stations, voters and election staff. He added that security forces had begun arriving at polling stations ahead of the phased voting process.

Mughal also rejected concerns that holding elections in phases could allow results from one division to influence voting in another. He said AJK had its own political and local dynamics and that the phased polling arrangement would not affect the integrity of the election process.

The AJK Election Commission had earlier announced that polling would begin on July 27 and take place in three phases.

Voting in Mirpur Division is scheduled for July 27. Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies will vote on August 2, while polling in Poonch Division will be held on August 10.