Mirpur: Polling continued peacefully on Monday in the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections in 13 legislative assembly seats of Mirpur division. Voting began at 8 am and will continue without any break till 5 pm. A public holiday was declared in Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli districts to facilitate the electoral process so that voters could exercise their franchise in maximum numbers.
According to the Election Commission, a total of 288 candidates are contesting in the first phase, while 2,316 polling stations have been set up. Of these, 1,241 polling stations have been declared highly sensitive and 724 sensitive. The entire Mirpur division has been divided into 13 zones and 205 sectors for effective monitoring of election activities.
More than 18,560 personnel have been deployed from the police, Rangers, Federal Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order. Under the three-tier security plan, the police are responsible for internal security, Rangers and Federal Constabulary are responsible for the middle fence, while the Pakistan Army is responsible for external security. In addition, about 2,100 military personnel are also deployed at different locations, while the Quick Response Force has also been kept on alert to deal with emergencies.
During the elections, allegations of electoral irregularities also surfaced in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. PML-N leaders accused some polling staff of violating the code of conduct, while the PPP rejected the allegations and raised objections to the alleged use of federal government resources. The relevant election authorities confirmed the replacement of some polling staff and the initiation of a legal investigation into the matter, but no independent verification of any allegations was possible before the results.
Meanwhile, political statements and critical comments continued during the election campaign between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. The leadership of both parties intensified their election campaigns at various public gatherings, while observers are calling this election a major political contest in the politics of Azad Kashmir.
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal appealed to registered voters to exercise their right to vote in full, saying that comprehensive security arrangements have been made at all polling stations. He warned that legal action will be taken against those obstructing the election process or violating the law without discrimination.
The general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases due to security concerns. The second phase will be held on August 2 in Muzaffarabad division and reserved seats for refugees, while the third and final phase will be held on August 10 in seats in Poonch division. Political parties and the public are keeping a close eye on the election results and turnout.
