Government employees complete advance polling for AJK Legislative Assembly elections

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) took a significant step towards its July 27 Legislative Assembly elections as advance polling for government employees on election duty concluded peacefully in eight districts on Monday, with an overwhelming voter turnout and election authorities declaring themselves fully prepared to conduct what they pledged would be free, fair and transparent elections.

The special polling exercise, regarded as the Election Commission's first major test ahead of polling day, was held in all districts except Rawalakot and Sudhnoti, where voting was postponed because of security concerns. Despite the exceptions, officials described the process as smooth, orderly and incident-free, with voter turnout exceeding 80 per cent in almost every district where polling took place.

The peaceful completion of the exercise comes at a politically charged time, with election campaigns entering their final week and authorities racing to complete logistical and security preparations for one of the most closely watched elections in the region.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the successful conduct of advance polling reflected the Election Commission's readiness to oversee peaceful, transparent and credible elections across all constituencies on July 27.

"There is no question of delaying the elections. The polls will be held on schedule under all circumstances, and no attempt to disrupt the democratic process will be allowed to succeed," Mughal said after reviewing polling arrangements.

He said extensive security measures had been implemented to safeguard polling personnel, election material and voters, adding that government employees exercised their voting rights in a peaceful environment without any major untoward incident.

"The turnout of more than 80 per cent among government employees is extremely encouraging. It reflects confidence in the electoral system and demonstrates the commitment of public servants to strengthening democratic institutions," he said.

Mughal expressed satisfaction over the coordination between the Election Commission, district administrations and law enforcement agencies, saying the same arrangements would be replicated on polling day to ensure a peaceful electoral exercise across the territory.

Senior Election Commission Member Khawaja Ahsan said the advance polling had reinforced public confidence in the electoral process and confirmed that all preparations for the July 27 polls had entered their final stage.

"The Election Commission is fully prepared to conduct free, fair and transparent elections. Election material has already been dispatched to the returning officers, while close coordination with district administrations and security agencies continues to ensure peaceful polling," he said.

Election Commission Member Syed Nazir Ul Hasan Gillani said polling remained orderly throughout the day, with polling staff efficiently discharging their responsibilities and voters expressing satisfaction over the arrangements.

"We remained in constant contact with returning officers across AJK, and polling proceeded peacefully wherever voting was held. No complaints regarding the polling process have been received from any district," he said.

Gillani said ballot boxes used during the advance polling had been sealed under the prescribed legal procedure and handed over to the respective returning officers under strict security. The ballots cast by government employees will remain sealed until July 27 and will be counted together with votes polled on election day.

He added that ballot papers had already reached all returning officers, while comprehensive security plans for polling stations had been finalised in consultation with law enforcement agencies.

Election officials said that, apart from Muzaffarabad, every district where polling was conducted recorded voter participation of more than 80 per cent despite the voters themselves being engaged in election duties, a development officials described as an encouraging sign for overall voter participation in the general elections.

With only a week remaining before voters elect members to the 45-seat AJK Legislative Assembly, the successful completion of advance polling has provided the Election Commission with a crucial operational rehearsal, while reinforcing official confidence that the territory is on course for peaceful, orderly and credible elections on July 27.