AJK chief secretary says all set for polls, warns against attempts to disrupt electoral process

The Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Khushal Khan, on Sunday said all arrangements had been finalised for the upcoming general elections and warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order or obstruct the electoral process.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Secretary Election Commission *EC) Raja Mohammad Shakeel Khan, Khushal assured voters that the electoral process would be conducted in a peaceful, transparent and fair manner.

He said the formal election process would begin on July 27 in accordance with the Constitution, while all preparations for the general elections had been completed and polling material had been dispatched to returning officers.

Read: AJK Election Commission warns against code of conduct violations ahead of polls

The chief secretary said nearly 17,000 security personnel had been deployed to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections. "Police contingents from all four provinces would assist the AJK Police in providing election security," he added.

Khushhal said all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in AJK.

The chief secretary also said authorities were closely monitoring those spreading misleading propaganda on social media and warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order or obstruct the electoral process.

Referring to voter participation, he said AJK had traditionally witnessed a high voter turnout and expressed confidence that this year's elections would also see strong public participation.

Secretary EC said the first phase of polling would be held on Monday (July 27) in Mirpur Division.

He said election arrangements in the division had been completed and polling material had already been dispatched to polling stations.

Also Read: Mirpur administration completes preparations for July 27 AJK elections

Khan said around 22,000 election staff had been deployed and all preparations had been finalised.

He said the chief election commissioner had visited Mirpur and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, adding that election staff had received transparent and effective training.

According to Khan, police, rangers and the Federal Constabulary had been placed on high alert to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections.

He described the vote as the public's most important democratic tool and urged citizens to participate in the electoral process.

Khan said old videos relating to calls for an election boycott were being circulated on social media to create a misleading impression, adding that no untoward incident had occurred during the election campaign.

He said all political parties and candidates had welcomed the code of conduct and urged voters to respond to uncertainty by casting their ballots and electing their preferred representatives.

"The entire electoral process across AJK will be conducted in a peaceful, transparent and fair manner," he said.

The first phase of the AJK general elections is set to begin on Monday (July 27) across Mirpur Division.

A day earlier, the AJK Information Department called on journalists and media organisations to exercise maximum responsibility in their election coverage, urging them to ensure that only verified, accurate and balanced information reaches the public, particularly during polling, vote counting and the announcement of results.

The department also urged media personnel to refrain from sharing content that could incite unrest, create confusion among voters or adversely affect law and order, especially during the sensitive stages of vote counting and the announcement of unofficial and official results.