Chief election commissioner says peaceful voting must be ensured at all costs as phased balloting begins on July 27
MUZAFFARABAD/
MIRPUR:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Saturday warned political parties against violating the code of conduct during the general election campaign, saying such violations would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that it was taking all necessary measures to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
“The federal and provincial ministers may campaign in the elections, but they cannot use official protocol or government resources,” an AJK Election Commission spokesperson said, adding that the use of government machinery for electoral purposes would constitute a violation of the code of conduct.
The spokesperson said the announcement of new development schemes or financial packages during the election campaign had been prohibited, adding that any announcement of new public welfare projects during the campaign would also be considered a violation of the code of conduct.
“Vehicles, equipment, and relief goods sent by the federal or provincial government will be confiscated, and action will be taken in accordance with the law against violations of the code of conduct,” the spokesperson said.
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The AJK Election Commission has directed federal and provincial ministers, candidates, and political parties to strictly comply with the code of conduct.
According to a spokesperson of the commission, all political parties should adhere to the electoral code of conduct to ensure transparent elections and maintain public confidence.
Meanwhile, a review meeting on arrangements for the elections was chaired by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal in Mirpur.
The meeting was attended by Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan, district returning officers, returning officers, and divisional and district administration and police officers.
District Returning Officers of Mirpur, Jahangir Ahmad Jarral, Kotli, Muhammad Idrees Bhatti, and Bhimber, Hafiz Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan briefed Mughal, while Commissioner Mirpur Division Raja Tahir Mumtaz and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kamran Ali briefed the meeting on arrangements for the elections.
Mughal expressed satisfaction over security arrangements for the elections, noting that the primary objective was to hold free, fair and impartial elections.
He added that the “nation has confidence in the judiciary, administration and security institutions,” and stated that the “peaceful conduct of elections must be ensured at all costs.”
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Mughal stressed that all institutions will have to work together to “prove election-related rumours wrong” and that the entire polling process must be carried out successfully. He stated that ensuring the security of polling stations was the responsibility of security institutions and added that it is their responsibility to provide protection to voters and polling staff.
Further, the chief election commissioner noted, “Various reservations were raised regarding phased elections, but the impression that the results of one division could influence another division is baseless,” adding that “Azad Kashmir has its own ground realities, and its people are committed to their respective political parties.”
Mughal also noted that security forces had started reaching polling stations. “Our effort is to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in Azad Kashmir. Through a collective effort, we must make the electoral process successful in the national interest,” he said.
On July 21, Mughal announced that the upcoming elections would begin on July 27 as scheduled, but noted that polling would now be held in three phases across different divisions, with the armed forces deployed to oversee the electoral process.
Polling in Mirpur Division will be held on July 27, while Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies will go to the polls on August 2 and elections in Poonch Division will take place on August 10.
