AJK CEC amends election schedule, announces polling in three phases

The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has amended the schedule for polling for general elections, announcing that the voting will now be held in three phases, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Unveiling the amended schedule at a news conference in Muzaffarabad on Tuesday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced that elections to the Legislative Assembly will be held in three phases, starting from July 27.

Following are the three phases: 

·  Phase 1 (July 27): 13 constituencies in the Mirpur Division.

·  Phase 2 (August 2): 9 constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and all 12 refugee constituencies.

·  Phase 3 (August 10): 11 constituencies in the Poonch Division

The AJK election commission had previously announced July 27, 2026, as the date for general elections across all constituencies of the AJK Legislative Assembly, with polling to be held from 8am to 5pm.

Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the election schedule was amended keeping in view the security arrangements, administrative resources and keeping the election process more effective.

He said that Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission is determined to hold general elections in a free, fair, and t transparent atmosphere. Analysts, international observers, and journalists will be allowed for full coverage of the elections, he added.

At least 1,265 candidates have submitted their nomination papers in total 45 AJK constituencies, including 12 refugee constituencies, for the upcoming elections. Some 1,047 candidates have filed their nomination papers against 33 constituencies within the territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while as many as 218 candidates have filed their nomination papers against 12 Kashmiri refugee seats.

Reporter Zahid Bashir Chaudhry