MUZAFFRABAD:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has completed all necessary preparations to ensure free, fair and transparent conduct of voting in the first phase of elections scheduled in Mirpur division on Monday (today).
AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and AJK Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel told a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad that voting materials had been sent to polling stations.
The Chief Secretary and Secretary of AJK-EC urged people to exercise their right to vote for the resolution of their issues in a democratic manner. They warned of serious consequences for attempting to disrupt the electoral process or disrupt public order.
They also urged the public to reject misleading election propaganda circulating on social media. The AJK polls are scheduled in three phases with Mirpur division on Monday, Muzaffarabad on August 2 and Poonch on August 10.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirpur Khurram Iqbal said that a comprehensive and foolproof security plan had been put in place to maintain law and order and provide a secure environment to voters throughout the voting process.
He added that close coordination had been established between all security agencies to effectively respond to any untoward incident during the polling. “A three-pronged security strategy has been developed for all polling stations.”
According to the SSP, polling stations were classified as highly sensitive, sensitive and normal, with staff and resources allocated based on the security requirements of each location.
He added that 56 security sectors had been created across the district, each under the supervision of respective Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs). An effective monitoring and rapid response mechanism would remain operational in each sector.
“A separate contingency plan has been prepared for the second response force, while a third level security plan has also been implemented under the supervision of the area commanders,” the SSP explained.
He reiterated that the district administration and all law enforcement agencies were committed to ensuring that the electoral process remained peaceful, transparent and impartial. “Strict implementation of the Electoral Commission’s directives will be ensured.”
He appealed to all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the electoral code of conduct, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and help maintain a peaceful atmosphere to ensure successful elections in Mirpur division.
More than 1.4 million voters will vote in 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. A total of 2,454 polling stations and 3,701 voting booths were established, while around 3,500 polling agents were deployed to conduct the voting process.
Voting will be held in four constituencies of Mirpur district, three constituencies of Bhimber district and six constituencies of Kotli district. In these areas, 1,965 polling stations were declared sensitive or very sensitive. Voting will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Extraordinary security arrangements have been finalized to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections. More than 19,000 security personnel have been deployed across the division. Among them, 17,000 police officers have been deployed, while 2,100 military personnel will remain on standby as a relief force.
A total of 288 candidates are in the fray for these 13 Legislative Assembly seats in the division. However, as in previous elections, the main contest is expected to be between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and, in some constituencies, influential independent candidates.
(WITH INPUT FROM THE APPLICATION)
