AJK polls underway as 1.4m voters cast ballots

Polling is underway in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.

MUZAFFARABAD: Polling is underway in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.

Voting started at 8am and will continue until 5pm.

Elections are being held today in 13 constituencies across three districts of Mirpur division — Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber.

Polling has started at several stations. However, voting has yet to begin at some locations because voters have not arrived.

In Kotli, polling is underway at Polling Station No. 38 in Aghar Colony. Voting has not started at polling stations 36 and 37 due to the absence of voters.

Candidates cast votes

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, contesting from LA-7 in Bhimber, cast his vote at Polling Station No. 161.

Speaking after voting, Farooq said voter turnout was expected to be higher in rural areas than in cities.

He also urged women to leave their homes after completing household responsibilities and exercise their right to vote.

Farooq expressed satisfaction with the law and order situation and the arrangements made for the elections in Bhimber.

PPP confident of victory

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Secretary General Muhammad Humayun Khan said the party was confident of securing a strong victory in the Azad Kashmir elections.

He said the party’s electoral symbol, the arrow, represented the Kashmiri people’s rights to governance, ownership and employment.

Humayun Khan said the PPP would continue to raise the voice of the people of Kashmir at every forum.

He also called for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission, describing it as an important need.

PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari also expressed confidence that voters in Azad Kashmir would support the PPP.

He said the party had played an important role in establishing a parliamentary democratic system in Azad Kashmir.

More than 1.4 million voters registered

A total of 296 candidates are contesting the elections, including candidates from the PPP, PML-N, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and independent candidates.

There are 1,401,439 registered voters across the 13 constituencies.

The number includes 725,118 male voters and 675,628 female voters.

A total of 2,454 polling stations have been established across Mirpur division.

Mirpur district has 597 polling stations across four constituencies. Kotli has 1,107 stations across six constituencies, while 608 polling stations have been established in three constituencies of Bhimber.

Officials urge voters to participate

Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and DIG Kamran Ali visited wards 16 and 17 of LA-3 to review the polling arrangements.

Speaking to the media, Commissioner Mumtaz said polling was proceeding peacefully across all three districts from 8am.

He urged voters to come out and cast their ballots without fear.

He assured the public that the administration had arranged a peaceful environment for voters.

Tight security arrangements

Authorities have put in place extensive security measures for the elections.

Azad Kashmir Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Mustafa Mughal warned that legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process.

AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected groups seeking to create disorder and had shown confidence in the democratic process.

He said all state institutions were prepared to ensure peaceful elections.