Over 80% turnout in AJK advance vote

Advance voting by government employees assigned election duty for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on July 27 concluded peacefully across eight districts on Monday, with an overwhelmingly high voter turnout.

The ballots were cast in all districts except Rawalakot and Sudhnoti, where voting was postponed because of security concerns. Officials described Monday's process as "smooth, orderly and incident-free", with voter turnout exceeding 80% in almost every district.

The advance polling exercise was seen as the AJK Election Commission's first major test ahead of polling day, coming at a politically charged time as election campaigns entered their final week and authorities raced to complete logistical and security preparations for the elections.

"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," AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said.

"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% 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 with 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 Nazirul Hasan Gillani said polling remained orderly throughout the day, with polling staff efficiently discharging their responsibilities and voters expressing satisfaction with 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.