AJK election chief warns polling in Rawalakot may be delayed

The Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, said on Friday that elections in Rawalakot could be postponed if the security situation does not improve, while stressing that polling in other parts of the Poonch Division would go ahead as planned.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, speaking to media in Muzaffarabad, Mughal said the AJK Legislative Assembly could not be considered complete without representation from the Poonch Division.

He said the Election Commission of AJK remained committed to holding elections in the constituencies of Abbaspur, Hajira, Bagh and Haveli.

He urged voters to participate actively in the second phase of the elections, saying people should leave their homes and cast their ballots.

He added that public issues could not be resolved through rallies, demonstrations or protests if citizens chose not to exercise their right to vote.

The CEC also defended the independence of the Election Commission, stating that it did not work under anyone's instructions or political direction and remained an autonomous institution.

He said defeated candidates often alleged electoral rigging and described the current election as one of the most challenging in the history of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Calling on the public to seek change through democratic means, Mughal said those wishing to bring about political change should do so through the ballot box rather than through violence.

He said letters had been sent to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Secretary requesting additional security arrangements.

According to Mughal, two constituencies in Muzaffarabad—LA-31 Khawara and LA-28 Lachhrat—have been identified as highly sensitive.

Reiterating his earlier remarks, Mughal said that while the absence of the Poonch Division would leave the Assembly incomplete, it was too early to comment on the formation of the next government.

He added that if the security situation remained unchanged, polling in Rawalakot could be rescheduled. However, elections in Abbaspur, Hajira, Bagh and Haveli were expected to proceed, and the Election Commission was determined to ensure they were held.

The Chief Election Commissioner's remarks came a day after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari alleged electoral rigging during a public gathering in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Bilawal also called on the AJK Chief Election Commissioner to clarify his position, questioning whether he was acting independently or working in the interests of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz during the election process.