MUZAFFARABAD:The Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, stated that due to security reasons and prevailing challenges, the commission decided to complete the electoral process in the four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts first. Security forces have already arrived in these districts, and the distribution of polling material is progressing rapidly under the supervision and care of the Pakistan Army.

He made a special appeal to the voters of Bagh and Haveli to exercise their right to vote on August 10 to fulfill the democratic process of change. Emphasizing the importance of civic duty, he noted that voting is both a democratic right and a moral obligation that must be treated as a trust and cast in favor of deserving candidates.

Potential Schedule for Rawalakot and Sudhnoti Elections:

Speaking to journalists, the Chief Election Commissioner shared that the Election Commission will be in a position to formally announce the revised election dates for Rawalakot and Sudhnoti districts within the next seven days. However, he clarified that contesting candidates in the postponed constituencies must be given adequate time for election campaigning.

He added that if the ongoing sit-in concludes within the next three to four days or a sustainable security solution is reached, polling in those districts could potentially take place by August 20 or 21.

Read More: Activists held in Lahore for holding pro-Kashmir demonstration

Constitutional and Moral Status of the Assembly and Results Process:

Addressing queries regarding the oath-taking of newly elected members, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal noted that while there is no constitutional bar preventing successful candidates from taking their oath, a moral case exists for delaying the oath-taking until the electoral process across Poonch and Sudhnoti is fully concluded to complete the house. Once the house is fully constituted, elections for reserved seats, as well as the positions of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Leader of the House (Prime Minister), will take place.

Clarifying the transparency of the results process, he explained that while the Returning Officer officially compiles the final results, the counting of votes occurs transparently in the presence of polling agents beforehand.

Internet Restoration, Sensitive Polling Stations, and Response to Allegations:

According to the Chief Election Commissioner, the comprehensive security plan includes deploying eight security personnel at highly sensitive polling stations. Furthermore, the Election Commission is actively working to ensure internet services are restored in Bagh and Haveli districts on August 9 and 10 to facilitate the timely collection and transmission of election results.

Responding to allegations made by political leaders, the Chief Election Commissioner stated that the Election Commission operates within defined constitutional boundaries and will not engage in political rhetoric. He affirmed that once all phases of the election process are completed, the full facts regarding whether rigging occurred and if so, who was responsible, will be presented transparently to the public.