The schedule for the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections has been adjusted, with voting on August 10 now limited to the Poonch and Bagh districts within the Poonch Division. These two districts encompass eight constituencies, with three in Bagh and five in Poonch.
Meanwhile, elections originally planned for Haveli and Sudhnoti districts have been deferred due to concerns over the prevailing law and order situation. This decision followed a comprehensive review of the circumstances affecting the scheduled polls in the Poonch and Haveli areas, as announced by the AJK Election Commission on Friday.
The commission received a report from the AJK Home Secretary that highlighted security issues in parts of Poonch and Pallandri districts. Additionally, several political leaders and candidates from these regions requested the postponement of elections, citing the current instability.
In response, the Election Commission stated it will announce new dates and a revised schedule for polling in Poonch and Pallandri after further assessment of the situation and relevant factors.
The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases amid ongoing tensions between protesters and authorities. The first two phases took place in the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions on July 27 and August 2, respectively.
Since early June, Rawalakot has experienced unrest, with the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) organizing periodic sit-ins. The JAAC demands the removal of 12 legislative seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir and has maintained protests in the region for several weeks.
The government has accused certain groups of advancing a “foreign agenda” and receiving Indian funding, which it claims is exacerbating the unrest in the area.
