AJK Election Commission revises poll schedule, adopts three-phase voting plan

The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has revised the schedule for the Legislative Assembly elections, announcing that polling will now be held in three phases to strengthen security arrangements and ensure the peaceful conduct of the electoral process

MIRPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2026) The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has revised the schedule for the Legislative Assembly elections, announcing that polling will now be held in three phases to strengthen security arrangements and ensure the peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (R) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Tuesday announced the revised schedule at a press conference at the Election Commission headquarters in Mirpur. Senior Member Election Commission Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan, Member Election Commission Syed Nazir-ul-Hassan Gilani and Secretary Election Commission Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan were also present.

Under the revised programme, polling in Mirpur Division will be held on July 27 as originally scheduled. The second phase will take place on August 2 in Muzaffarabad Division, while polling for the 12 seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan will also be conducted on the same day. The third and final phase of polling in Poonch Division will be held on August 10.

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Justice Mughal said the decision to revise the schedule was taken after consultations with political parties. He said the phased polling plan would help strengthen security arrangements, as security forces engaged in other parts of the country could be deployed from one division to another during the election process.

He reiterated the Election Commission's commitment to holding free, fair, transparent, impartial and peaceful elections. He said international observers and journalists would be given full access to cover the polls, while presiding officers would provide polling results to polling agents immediately after the completion of vote counting.

Responding to a question, the chief election commissioner said around 25,000 government employees had exercised their right to vote peacefully during polling held the previous day. He expressed confidence that voters would participate actively in the remaining phases and said the Election Commission had completed all necessary arrangements to ensure smooth and orderly polling.

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