MUZAFFRABAD:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has completed all necessary preparations to ensure free, fair and transparent polling 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 the voting materials have been sent to the polling stations.
The Chief Secretary and AJK-EC Secretary urged people to exercise their right to vote for the solution of their problems in a democratic manner. They warned of dire consequences in case of any attempt to disrupt the voting process or disrupt law and order.
They also urged the public to reject misleading propaganda about the election circulating on social media. The AJK polls are scheduled in three phases with Mirpur ward on Monday, Muzaffarabad on August 2 and Poonch on August 10.
Separately, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirpur Khurram Iqbal said that an elaborate and foolproof security plan had been put in place to maintain law and order and provide a safe environment for voters throughout the polling process.
He added that close coordination had been established between all security agencies to effectively respond to any untoward incident during the poll. “A three-pronged security strategy has been drawn up for all polling stations.”
According to the SSP, the polling stations have been categorized as highly sensitive, sensitive and normal, with personnel and resources allocated according to the security requirements of each site.
He added that 56 security sectors had been established across the district, each placed under the supervision of the respective Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs). An effective monitoring and rapid response mechanism would remain operational in all sectors.
“A separate contingency plan had been prepared for the second task force, while a third-tier security plan has also been implemented under the supervision of zonal commanders,” the SSP explained.
He reaffirmed that the district administration and all law enforcement agencies were committed to ensure that the election process remained peaceful, transparent and impartial. “Strict implementation of the Election 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 conduct of elections in Mirpur Division.
More than 1.4 million voters will cast their vote in 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. A total of 2,454 polling stations and 3,701 polling stations have been established, while around 3,500 election officials have been deployed to conduct the voting.
Polling will be held in four constituencies of Mirpur district, three constituencies of Bhimber district, six constituencies of Kotli district. In these areas, 1,965 polling stations have been declared sensitive or highly sensitive. Voting continues from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 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. Of these, 17,000 police personnel have been deployed, while 2,100 army personnel will remain on alert as a backup force.
A total of 288 candidates are contesting these 13 Legislative Assembly seats in the division. However, as in previous elections, the main contest is expected to be among Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and, in some constituencies, influential independent candidates.
(WITH ACCESS FROM APP)
