MUZAFFARABAD: Voting is underway in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, with the Election Commission extending polling hours by one hour in the Muzaffarabad Division due to a large voter turnout.
Polling for nine seats in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies began at 8:00am and was originally scheduled to end at 5:00pm. However, theA Election Commission announced that voting in the Muzaffarabad Division will now continue until 6:00pm to facilitate more voters.
The commission said the extension was granted to ensure that all eligible voters have sufficient time to cast their ballots.
Meanwhile, polling was postponed at all 196 polling stations in Constituency LA-27 after election staff and polling materials failed to reach the area because of bad weather and landslides.
In a separate incident, eight people, including seven women, suffered electric shocks in Neelum Valley when a vehicle carrying voters back from polling struck a live electricity wire. Police said the incident occurred in Lala Ward of the Athmuqam Municipal Committee, and all injured were shifted to DHQ Hospital Athmuqam.
MmmmPrime Minister of Azad Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore took notice of the alleged attack on AJK President Chaudhry Latif Akbar and directed the Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. He also expressed concern over the security situation, alleging that workers affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) were involved in the incident.
Polling started late in some constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) accused the PML-N of electoral rigging. The PPP’s AJK Election Cell submitted a formal complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner.
PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also blamed PML-N workers for the attack on Chaudhry Latif Akbar, while PPP Senator Sherry Rehman strongly condemned what she described as an attempted assassination and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, however, said the second phase of the elections was being conducted peacefully and dismissed the opposition’s allegations of rigging, saying those making such claims would continue to complain without evidence.
Chief Election Commissioner of AJK, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, visited a polling station in Muzaffarabad and told reporters that a request had been made for the restoration of internet services and that the matter would become clear later in the day.
He also stressed that the Election Commission would not work under any pressure and would perform its duties strictly in accordance with the law.
A total of 1,483 polling stations have been established across the Muzaffarabad Division. In addition, Kashmiri voters residing in different cities across Pakistan are casting their votes for six Jammu refugee seats and six Valley refugee seats.
