AJK sets August 24 polls for reserved seats

Speaker, deputy speaker polls expected on Aug 25; PM election likely on Aug 27

MUZAFFARABAD:

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission (AJKEC) has announced the schedule for elections to eight reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly, marking the beginning of the fourth phase of the electoral process and setting the stage for the formation of the new government in the region.

Polling for the reserved seats will be held on August 24 from 10am to 1pm at the Legislative Assembly Hall in Muzaffarabad.

Of the eight reserved seats, five are allocated to women, one to Ulema and Mashaikh, one to overseas residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and one to technocrats and other professionals.

According to the schedule issued by the AJKEC, candidates will file their nomination papers on August 20, with scrutiny of the papers and publication of the candidates' list also scheduled for the same day.

Appeals against the nomination papers can be filed on August 21, while hearings and decisions on the appeals will be held on August 22.

The schedule states that the withdrawal process will be completed on August 23, following which the final list of candidates will be published. Polling for the reserved seats will be held on August 24 from 10am to 1pm at the Legislative Assembly Hall.

The eight reserved seats in the AJK Assembly are not filled through direct public voting but are elected by newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly.

Under the electoral rules, polling is held if the number of candidates exceeds the number of seats available. If the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of seats, they may be declared elected unopposed.

In the general elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the largest parliamentary party with 25 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured 12 seats.

The final strength of the parties in the new Assembly will become clearer after completion of the remaining electoral and reserved-seat processes.

Following the reserved-seat elections on August 24, elections for the new speaker and deputy speaker of the AJK Assembly are expected on August 25, while the election of the new prime minister of Azad Kashmir is likely to be held on August 27.

The oath-taking ceremony of the new prime minister is expected to take place the same day or subsequently.

With the completion of elections to the reserved seats, followed by the elections of the speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister, the new government in AJK will formally begin functioning.

The PML-N, having secured a clear majority in the general seats, is in a position to form the government, while consultations within the party leadership over the premiership and other key positions are already underway.

Political circles consider the coming days crucial for the political future of AJK, as the distribution of reserved seats will determine the final numerical strength of the parties in the Assembly.

This will pave the way for the elections of the speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister.

Meanwhile, the PML-N is expected to secure four of the five women's reserved seats, while the PPP is likely to get one. The reserved seats for Ulema and Mashaikh, technocrats and overseas residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also expected to go to the PML-N.

Therefore, the PML-N is expected to secure seven of the eight reserved seats, with the PPP getting one women's reserved seat. After the reserved seats are added, the PML-N's strength in the assembly is expected to rise to 32, while the PPP will have 13 seats.