AJK election commission launches preparations for 2026 general election

WEB DESK: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Tuesday formally initiated preparations for the 2026 general election, setting 1 April 2026 as the qualifying date for voter registration and issuing a series of directives on electoral and administrative matters.

According to Dawn, the instructions were issued by Chief Election Commissioner, retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, during the first formal meeting of the Commission following his swearing-in last Friday.

Citing the limited time remaining before the next general election, the Chief Election Commissioner directed that preparatory work commence without delay.

The Commission resolved that assistant commissioners in Azad Jammu and Kashmir would act as registration officers. In Pakistan, district election commissioners subject to the consent of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan will be designated as registration officers for refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir residing there.

Members of the Legislative Assembly who have yet to submit their statements of assets owing to the Commission not being fully constituted earlier have been instructed to file their declarations within 10 days. Failure to comply will result in suspension of membership in accordance with the law.

On the registration of political parties, the Commission decided to issue public notices through the media directing all parties to complete the registration process without further delay.

The Secretary of the Election Commission has been instructed to constitute a scrutiny committee and present the cases of eligible political parties before the Commission within one week.