Justice Mustafa Mughal takes oath as AJK CEC

General elections likely to be held in July.

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s Chief Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Friday took oath as chief election commissioner (CEC) ahead of general elections in the region this summer

Chief Justice Muhammad Azam Khan of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court (AJKSC) administered the oath-taking ceremony at the Supreme Court building. In addition to his duties as CEC, Justice Mughal will also perform his duty as chief justice at the high court.

On February 11, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) gave in to the wishes of the local apex court following a contempt notice issued by the court.

The AJK Supreme Court had issued contempt of court notice to the government for non-appointment of chief election commissioner on February 9. The AJK government, following court notice, issued the notification of appointment of Justice Mughal as CEC on February 11. General elections in AJK are likely to be held in July this year.

AJK Rehabilitation Minister Abdul Majid Khan said that the oath of the newly appointed CEC was ample proof that the government is committed to conduct the general elections on time.

“Opposition parties should now concentrate on electioneering drives, [rather] than levelling allegations against the ruling party. We hope that new CEC will form a strategy to introduce a code of conduct for political parties to avoid Nakyal-like incident during election rallies in future,” the minister added.

AJKSC on February 9 took strong exception to non-implementation of its judgment of January 25, on the appointment of CEC, and directed for the personal appearance of the AJK law minister and chief secretary.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th,  2016.