The voter turnout of more than 80 percent is encouraging and reflects confidence in the electoral system
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Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) took a significant step towards its legislative assembly elections on July 27 when advance polling for compulsory government employees concluded peacefully in eight districts on Monday, with an overwhelming turnout and election authorities declaring their full readiness to conduct what they promised would be free, fair and transparent elections.
The special polling exercise, considered the Election Commission’s first major test ahead of polling day, was held in all districts except Rawalakot and Sudhnoti, where polling was postponed due to security concerns. Despite the exceptions, officials described the process as smooth, orderly and incident-free, with voter turnout above 80 percent in almost all districts where voting took place.
The peaceful conclusion of the exercise comes at a politically charged time as election campaigns enter their final week and authorities race to complete logistical and security preparations for one of the most closely watched elections in the region.
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the successful conduct of advance polling reflected the Election Commission’s readiness to oversee peaceful, transparent and credible elections in all constituencies on July 27.
“There is no question of postponing the elections. The polls will be held as scheduled in any case and no attempt to disrupt the democratic process will be allowed to succeed,” Mughal said after reviewing the polling arrangements.
He said extensive security measures had been implemented to protect polling staff, election materials and voters, adding that government employees exercised their right to vote in a peaceful environment without any major untoward incident.
“The voter turnout of more than 80 percent among government employees is extremely encouraging. It reflects confidence in the electoral system and demonstrates the commitment of public employees to strengthening democratic institutions,” he said.
Expressing satisfaction with the coordination between the Election Commission, district administrations and law enforcement agencies, Mughal said the same arrangements would be repeated on election day to ensure a peaceful election exercise throughout the territory.
Senior Election Commission Member Khawaja Ahsan said the advance polls had strengthened public confidence in the electoral process and confirmed that all preparations for the July 27 polls had entered their final phase.
“The Election Commission is fully prepared to conduct free, fair and transparent elections. Election materials have already been sent to the returning officers, while close coordination with district administrations and security agencies continues to ensure peaceful polls,” he said.
Election Commission member Syed Nazir Ul Hasan Gillani said polling remained orderly throughout the day with polling staff effectively discharging their responsibilities and voters expressing satisfaction with the arrangements.
“We remained in constant touch with returning officers across AJK and polling went off peacefully wherever polling was held. No complaints regarding the polling process have been received from any district,” he said.
Gillani said ballot boxes used during the advance poll had been sealed as per the prescribed legal procedure and handed over to the respective returning officers under tight security. The state employees’ ballots will remain sealed until July 27 and will be counted with the votes cast on Election Day.
He added that ballot papers had already reached all returning officers, while comprehensive security plans for the polling stations had been finalized in consultation with law enforcement agencies.
Election officials said that except for Muzaffarabad, every district where polls were conducted recorded a voter turnout of more than 80 percent despite voters themselves being engaged in election duties, a development official described as an encouraging sign of overall voter turnout in the general elections.
With just a week to go before voters elect members to the 45-seat Legislative Assembly in AJK, the successful conduct of advance polling has given the Electoral Commission a crucial operational rehearsal while bolstering official confidence that the territory is heading for peaceful, orderly and credible elections on July 27.
