MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Thursday issued a new schedule for the preparation, revision, and publication of electoral rolls across the state ahead of the general election 2026.
In a press release, the AJK Election Commission spokesperson said that after all amendments and corrections, the final publication of the electoral rolls will be done on April 30, 2026.
It added that the process of voter registration and new entries in the draft rolls will continue from March 24 till April 07.
The provision of initial electoral rolls by NADRA will be completed by April 10, after which the preliminary voter lists will be published for public inspection on April 13, the spokesperson said.
After that, citizens will be able to submit their applications for registration of their names, correction, or objection to any irrelevant name to the relevant offices from April 13 to April 17.
The hearing on the received applications will be held from April 17 to 20, and all decisions will be forwarded to the registration officers by April 21.
Lastly, after all amendments and corrections, the electoral rolls will be finally published on April 30.
The statement said that this campaign aims to completely update the 2022 electoral lists so that the names of all eligible citizens can be included in the voter list. “This will ensure transparent elections by updating the lists.”
“Instructions have been issued to all relevant departments, including NADRA and Deputy Commissioners, to ensure the completion of all steps within the stipulated time,” the spokesperson concluded.
Registration of voters deadline extended
Earlier on Wednesday, the commission said that the schedule for the preparation of electoral rolls has been extended by another five days, adding that registration of votes in the electoral rolls will now continue till April 7, 2025.
“In response to the request of political representatives to extend the time for preparation of electoral rolls, the AJK Election Commission has extended the schedule for preparation of electoral rolls of refugees residing in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir by another 05 days,”
“Thus, now the registration of votes in the electoral rolls will continue from 24 March 2026 to 07 April 2026,” it said.
Demands from political parties
AJK Election Commission on Wednesday said that it has moved the government for legislation on the compilation of a separate list of non-Muslims/Qadianis in the electoral lists ahead of the general election 2026.
In a press release, the AJK EC spokesperson said that representatives of political parties have demanded a separate list of non-Muslims/Qadianis in the electoral lists during a meeting on March 28, 2026.
“Since this matter is related to legislation, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has moved the government for legislation in this regard,” the spokesperson said, adding that the implementation of this demand can be possible only after legislation.
The commission further said that some refugee representatives have demanded that voters from Jammu should be allowed to contest elections from the constituency of the Valley and vice versa.
“While some refugee representatives had also demanded that just like a voter from one district can contest elections from the constituency of another district in Azad Kashmir, similarly, the voters from Jammu should be allowed to contest elections from the constituency of the Valley, and voters from the Valley should be allowed to contest elections from the Jammu constituency. This also requires legislation,” it stated.
The AJK election commission is taking action at its level to resolve other demands presented by the political parties in the said meeting, which were related to the Election Commission.
