AJK refugee seats attract no nomination papers

Final voter lists issued as political uncertainty keeps candidates away from RO offices

RAWALPINDI:

Amid strikes, long marches, protests, shelling and an uncertain political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), not a single candidate submitted nomination papers for the three refugee seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The final electoral rolls for three refugee constituencies of the AJK Legislative Assembly covering Rawalpindi, Islamabad and the Rawalpindi Division have been issued.

Tuesday was the first day for submission of nomination papers for all 45 constituencies across AJK, including LA-43 Valley-IV, LA-44 Valley-V and Jammu-VI. However, amid strikes, long marches, protests, shelling and an uncertain political situation in AJK, not a single candidate submitted nomination papers for the three refugee seats, nor did anyone obtain nomination forms.

A similar situation was witnessed across AJK, where returning officers' offices remained deserted on the first day, with no candidates, political workers or party leaders visiting. Owing to the prevailing political circumstances, there is a strong possibility that the election schedule may be revised.

Valley-IV consists entirely of Rawalpindi city, while Valley-V covers the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Jammu-VI spans Rawalpindi city, the entire Rawalpindi Division, Islamabad and extends up to Gilgit-Baltistan.

LA-43 Valley-IV has a total of 3,346 voters, including 1,750 male and 1,596 female voters. LA-44 Valley-V has 3,754 voters, comprising 1,945 male and 1,809 female voters. Jammu-VI, the largest constituency, has 20,807 voters, including 11,222 men and 9,585 women.