Chief Election Commissioner says peaceful voting must be ensured at all costs as phased polling 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 it was taking all necessary measures to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
“Federal and provincial ministers can campaign in elections, but they cannot use official protocol or government resources,” a spokesperson for the AJK Election Commission said, adding that using government machinery for electoral purposes would be a violation of the code of conduct.
The spokesperson said the announcement of new development projects or financial packages during the election campaign had been banned, adding that any announcement of new public welfare projects during the campaign would also be considered a violation of the code of conduct.
“Relief vehicles, equipment and 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 adhere to the code of conduct.
According to a commission spokesperson, all political parties should adhere to the electoral code of conduct to ensure transparent elections and maintain public trust.
Meanwhile, a review meeting on the election modalities 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, Divisional and District Administration and Police Officers.
Mirpur district returning officers Jahangir Ahmad Jarral, Kotli, Muhammad Idrees Bhatti and Bhimber Hafiz Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan briefed Mughal, while Mirpur divisional commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and deputy inspector general (DIG) Kamran Ali briefed the meeting about the election arrangements.
Mughal expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements for the elections, noting that the main objective was to hold free, fair and impartial elections.
He added that “the nation has confidence in the judiciary, administration and security institutions,” and said “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 that election-related rumors are false” and that the entire electoral process must be carried out successfully. He said ensuring the security of polling stations was the responsibility of security institutions and added that it was their responsibility to ensure the protection of voters and election staff.
Further, the Chief Election Commissioner noted, “Various reservations have been expressed 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 collective effort, we must ensure that the electoral process succeeds in the national interest,” he said.
On July 21, Mughal announced that the next elections would begin on July 27 as scheduled, but noted that polling would now be held in three phases in different divisions, with armed forces deployed to oversee the electoral process.
Polling in Mirpur division will be held on July 27, while Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee constituencies will go to polls on August 2 and elections in Poonch division will be held on August 10.
