MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Thursday revised the election schedule for the upcoming AJK Legislative Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on July 27, 2026.
However, the electoral body clarified that polling for the Legislative Assembly elections will remain scheduled for July 27, 2026.
According to a press release issued by the Election Commission spokesperson, the last date for submission of nomination papers has been extended to June 23, 2026, until 5:00 PM, from the previous deadline of June 19.
Similarly, the scrutiny of nomination papers will begin on June 24 at 8:00 AM, and the list of validly nominated candidates will be published by the Returning Officers on the same day
According to the revised schedule, appeals against the decision of the Returning Officer can be filed with the Election Commission by candidates from June 25 to June 28 until 2:00 PM.
“The Election Commission will hear the appeals on June 29 and June 30 from 9:00 AM to 4:00, while decisions on appeals will be announced by July 1 and July 2,” the press release added.
Moreover, it added that candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nomination papers until 2:00 PM on July 3. The final list of contesting candidates will be published on July 4, while election symbols will be allotted on July 5 before 2:00 PM.
The final list of candidates, along with their election symbols, will also be issued on the same day, the commission added.
Candidates from Poonc District
The spokesperson further stated that a proposal was under consideration on June 16 to facilitate candidates from District Poonch (Rawalakot) by allowing the submission and scrutiny of nomination papers at Poonch House, Rawalpindi, due to the prevailing situation in the region.
However, prospective candidates from Rawalakot requested that the nomination process be conducted within their respective constituencies before the concerned Returning Officers.
The commission said that it has accepted the proposal and consequently extended the date of filing of nomination forms.
Under the revised arrangements, all candidates from District Poonch (Rawalakot) will submit nomination papers to the Returning Officers of their respective constituencies in Rawalakot as per the usual procedure, the press release stated.
“Scrutiny of nomination papers will also be done in the presence of the concerned Returning Officers in District Poonch (Rawalakot). All the candidates are requested to ensure that they submit their nomination papers within the stipulated date and time.”
