Prep complete for AJK refugee seats polls

Twenty-seven thousand voters to elect representatives on three seats as PTI boycotts polls

Preparations have been completed for the July 27 elections on three seats of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees in Rawalpindi Division and the twin cities.

With only 10 days left before polling, voter interest remains low, and no major political rally has been held by any candidate. Electioneering will end on the night of July 25.

There are 27,907 registered voters across the three constituencies—Valley-IV, Valley-V and Jammu-VI—including 14,917 men and 12,990 women. Seven polling stations have been declared highly sensitive, while a total of 15 polling stations have been established.

A total of 31 candidates are contesting the three seats, including all former legislators. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has boycotted the election, with its candidates withdrawing their nomination papers and urging Kashmiri voters not to cast their votes.

Jammu-VI has the highest number of voters at 20,807, followed by Valley-V with 3,804 and Valley-IV with 3,346 voters. Candidates from the PML-N, PPP, Muslim Conference, Istehkam Party and independents are in the field. Five women are also contesting the election.

Around 1,600 police personnel have been deployed for polling duty, while returning officers will inspect polling stations this week to review security and arrangements. Polling stations have been set up in government schools.

Separately, the Jammu and Kashmir Refugees Council Pakistan demanded that refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly be increased from 12 to 24 to strengthen the constitutional, democratic and national rights of refugees.

Addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, council convener Hanif Shahbaz Jarral, Dr Saeed Elahi and former ambassador Dr Israr Shah said the increase was necessary to ensure representation for the 3.5 to 4 million refugees living across Pakistan.

They said Kashmiri refugees would remain united in defending their identity, constitutional rights and the ideology of Pakistan, and paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for its sacrifices and services in safeguarding peace and security in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.