Chief Election Commissioner says peaceful poll must be ensured at all costs as polling begins in phases 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 can campaign, but they cannot use official protocol or government resources,” said a spokesman for the AJK Election Commission, adding that using government machinery for election purposes would constitute a violation of the code of conduct.
The spokesman said the announcement of new development schemes or economic 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.
“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 spokesman 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 spokesperson for 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 the 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 about arrangements for the elections.
Expressing satisfaction with the security arrangements for the elections, Mughal noted that the primary objective was to hold free, fair and impartial elections.
He added that “the nation has faith in the judiciary, administration and security institutions,” and stated that “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 voting process must be completed successfully. He stated that it was the responsibility of the security institutions to ensure the security of the polling stations, adding that it is their responsibility to provide protection to voters and polling staff.
Further, the Chief Election Commissioner noted, “Various reservations were raised regarding staggered elections, but the impression that the results of one division could affect another division is baseless,” adding that “Azad Kashmir has its own realities on the ground and its people are committed to their respective political parties.”
Mughal also noted that security forces had started reaching the polling stations. “Our effort is to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in Azad Kashmir. Through a collective effort, we must make the election process successful in national interest,” he said.
On 21 July, Mughal announced that the upcoming elections would begin on 27 July as planned, but noted that voting would now be held in three phases across different divisions, with the armed forces deployed to monitor the election process.
Polling in Mirpur Division will be held on July 27, while Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies will go to polls on August 2 and elections in Poonch Division will take place on August 10.
