MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): As the office of the President has become vacant following the death of former President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, several questions have arisen regarding the constitutional position of the election of the President of Azad Kashmir.
According to Clause 1 of Article 5 of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act, 1974, the President of AJK shall be elected by the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly with two-third majority.
It further added that the election of the office of President should be conducted under the supervision of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The Constitution clarifies that the President should be 35 or older.
In case the office of the President falls vacant due to death, Clause A of Article 9 states that “the Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly shall perform the functions of the President till the election of a new President.”
Moreover, Clause B clarifies that “an election to the office of President is to be held within a period of 30 days from the date on which the office falls vacant.”
The Constitution further clarifies that the new President should be elected only to complete the remaining term, and not for a new five-year term.
Since President Barrister Sultan Mehmood was elected on August 25, 2021, his constitutional term will complete on August 24, 2026. So, the newly elected President will serve only till August 24, 2026.
Candidates for AJK President
Political activities have intensified in Azad Kashmir for the vacant office of President as consultations have significantly increased within Azad Kashmir and Islamabad.
As per the sources, the names being considered for appointment to this post include President Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Speaker Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Latif Akbar, former Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, former President Masood Khan, former President and Prime Minister Sardar Yaqoob Khan, former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, President PPP Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Yasin, and former Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam.
According to sources, consultations are underway within the PPP for the post of President, for which Chaudhry Yasin is emerging as a strong candidate.
So far, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Tasnim Aslam, Sardar Attique Khan, and Chaudhry Yasin have emerged as strong candidates for the post.
Given the constitutional and symbolic importance of the office, major political parties are keen to appoint an influential and experienced figure to this post.
