Rawalakot election possible on August 20 or 21 if protest ends: AJK CEC

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said that elections in

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said that elections in Rawalakot could be held on August 20 or 21 if the ongoing protest is resolved within the next three to four days.

Speaking to the media in Muzaffarabad, Mughal said polling in Bagh and Haveli was scheduled to take place first due to security concerns. He said security personnel had already arrived in the two districts, while polling material was being transported under the supervision of the military.

He added that eight security personnel would be deployed at each highly sensitive polling station to ensure the safety of voters and election staff.

The chief election commissioner said efforts were also under way to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10.

Mughal said the Election Commission expected to be in a position to announce the polling date for Rawalakot within the next seven days. However, the final schedule would depend on the resolution of the ongoing protest.

“If the protest is resolved within three or four days, elections in Rawalakot can be held on August 20 or 21,” he said.

Responding to allegations made by political leaders, Mughal said the Election Commission could not engage in a war of words with politicians.

He said the commission would provide the facts once the electoral process had been completed and would determine whether any irregularities had occurred and who was responsible.