MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said voter turnout in the Mirpur division recorded at 46.3 per cent, while turnout in the Muzaffarabad division reached 53 per cent.
Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad a day after the second phase of the election, Ghulam Mustafa Mughal described the overall turnout as encouraging given the prevailing circumstances.
“No matter what the circumstances were or were created, the turnout was not low, and the people made the right decision by participating in the electoral process,” he said.
To check polling station-wise results from every constituency, visit Kashmir Digital’s portal: ELECTIONPORTAL.PK
During the presser, CEC Mughal, along with Member Election Commission Ahsan Khawaja and Secretary Election Commission Raja Shakeel, also announced the results of seven constituencies in Muzaffarabad division.
“Out of the seven seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won four, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won three seats,” he said.
Furthermore, CEC added that the Election Commission is a constitutionally independent institution whose responsibility is to conduct free, fair and transparent elections without taking sides with any party or candidate.
“The job of the Election Commission is not to bring a specific party to power or support anyone, while those who allege rigging can only be pitied.”
He thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation in the electoral process.
“Media ensured coverage of elections in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad Divisions by risking their lives, while the people strengthened the democratic process by voting instead of violence,” he added.
Talking about the new Legislative Assembly, he said that the term of the current Legislative Assembly will end on August 4 as per the constitution, while the newly elected members of the assembly will take the oath after the polls in Poonch division on August 10.
‘Internet restoration expected in 2 to 3 days’
The CEC further said that good news regarding the restoration of internet is expected in the next two to three days.
In addition, the Chief Election Commissioner announced that polling would be held tomorrow at 54 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II and the whole LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I constituency of Muzaffarabad division.
He said polling could not be conducted as scheduled at these stations because election materials could not reach the relevant areas on time due to adverse weather conditions.
Mughal further said adequate security arrangements had been made with deployment of Army, Rangers and police personnel, while additional personnel have been stationed at sensitive polling stations.
He said polling material has been delivered to all the relevant polling stations.
The Election Commissioner also announced that polling in three constituencies of Bagh, one each in Haveli and Abbaspur, would be held on August 10, subject to the final arrangements. Polling will also be held in Baloch and Palandri constituencies on August 10, the Chief Election Commissioner added.
He further said it would be difficult to hold polling in a few constituencies of Rawalakot city and Thorar due to the prevailing law and order situation.
