Polling in LA-27 rescheduled for Aug 4 after weather disruption

WEB DESK: Polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I has been rescheduled for August 4 after heavy rainfall and landslides forced the postponement of voting, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference, the chief election commissioner said polling in the constituency could not be held as overnight heavy rain triggered landslides and felled trees, blocking roads and preventing election staff and polling materials from reaching polling stations.

He said the Election Commission decided to postpone polling in accordance with the law to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process.

The chief election commissioner urged citizens to cast their ballots, saying democratic change can only come through the power of the vote.

“Voting is both a democratic and Islamic responsibility, and people should fulfil this duty,” he said, adding that violence or any other means could never serve as a path to democratic change.

He said polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I would now take place on August 4, while voting in all other constituencies was continuing according to schedule.

The chief election commissioner also said election authorities were responding promptly to every complaint received and would perform their duties strictly in accordance with the law, without yielding to any pressure.

He added that stringent security arrangements had been put in place at sensitive polling stations across Azad Kashmir and expressed confidence that Mirpur Division would record a strong voter turnout.