First phase of AJK elections underway, polling continues in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber

BHIMBIR/MIRPUR/KOTLI: Polling is underway in the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with voting continuing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Elections are being held today in 13 constituencies across three districts of Mirpur division, Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber, with 288 candidates in the field, including contestants from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the PML-N, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and independents.

The total number of registered voters across the 13 constituencies stands at 1,441,439, with 2,454 polling stations established in Mirpur division. Foolproof security arrangements have been put in place for the polls. In Bhimber, Section 144 has been imposed to maintain a peaceful electoral environment.

Election Commission warns against disruption

Chief Election Commissioner of AJK, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, said legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process. He said the vote is the power of the people, and urged the people of Kashmir to exercise their right to vote.

AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said the people of Azad Kashmir had shown confidence in the democratic process by rejecting elements of chaos and disorder. He said all state institutions were prepared to ensure peaceful elections, and that the law would act against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process or disturb the peace.

Mirpur division: officials review polling arrangements

Commissioner of Mirpur division, Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan, visited several polling stations to review the voting process and arrangements, also assessing security and public facilities on site.

According to the commissioner, election staff were performing their duties diligently, and polling was proceeding in a peaceful environment across the division. He said the law-and-order situation across the division was fully under control, with satisfactory security arrangements in Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli. Effective security measures had been deployed at and around polling stations, he added, with security institutions fully mobilised to maintain order.

The commissioner noted ‘strong’ public turnout during polling, describing it as encouraging, and said no untoward incident had been reported in Mirpur division so far.

Bhimber: peaceful polling reported across all three constituencies

In Bhimber, polling has been underway since 8 a.m. in a peaceful atmosphere across all three constituencies. Large numbers of male and female voters are heading to polling stations, with the Pakistan Army, police and other security personnel performing duty in full strength.

For now the atmosphere is peaceful at polling stations, with no untoward incident or unrest reported. Authorities say effective security arrangements have kept the polling process peaceful.