MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission 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 issued on Wednesday, the AJK Election Commission 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.
Registration of votes deadline extended
Moreover, 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.
The Election 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.
