MUZAFFARABAD: Voting in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections began on Monday, with polling taking place peacefully across eight districts under heightened security and administrative oversight.
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal visited several polling stations during the day to inspect voting arrangements and monitor the electoral process.
Speaking to the media during his visit, the chief election commissioner expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and reaffirmed the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting the general elections on July 27, 2026, in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He said all preparations for the electoral process had been completed, while police, the Frontier Constabulary (FC) and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to maintain security and ensure the smooth conduct of polling.
Ahead of the vote, the Election Commission had instructed District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs), district administrations and other relevant authorities to complete all logistical and administrative arrangements for the employees’ polling process.
The commission stressed the importance of making advance preparations so election staff could cast their ballots without facing delays or difficulties.
Officials assigned election duties were directed to report to their designated polling stations on time and strictly follow the Election Commission’s guidelines to ensure an orderly and transparent voting process.
