MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Chief Election Commissioner Azad Jammu and Kashmir Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday said that preparations have been completed for the third phase of AJK election in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts, scheduled to be held on August 10.
Speaking to the media two days before the polling, the Chief Election Commissioner said security forces had reached Bagh and Haveli, while polling material was being transported under the supervision of the army.
In addition, the election watchdog chief said eight security personnel would be deployed at the most sensitive polling stations.
He added that efforts would also be made to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10 to facilitate the transmission of election results.
Moreover, Justice (retd) Mughal appealed to the people of Bagh and Haveli to exercise their right to vote and complete the democratic process through their votes.
As per the Election Commission data, a total of 460,371 voters will exercise their right to vote on August 10, while 803 polling stations have been set up in four constituencies.
Among these, 342,857 voters are registered in three constituencies of Bagh district and 117,514 voters in one Haveli constituency. In addition, 190 polling stations have been set up in Haveli and 613 in Bagh.
Earlier, the third phase of the election was scheduled across Poonch Division. The Chief Election Commission, however, said that it has now been decided to conduct polling first in the four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts due to security concerns.
Poonch Division comprises 11 constituencies, including three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch and two in Sudhnoti district.
Polling in Poonch, Sudhanoti
Regarding the election in the remaining seven constituencies of Rawalakot and Sudhanoti, the CEC said that he could announce the polling date within the next seven days, adding that candidates would have to be provided adequate time for the election campaign.
He further stated that if the ongoing sit-in ended within three to four days or a solution to the security situation was reached, then the election could potentially be held on August 20 or 21.
Talking about the formation of a new House, Justice (retd) Mughal said there was no constitutional obstacle to successful candidates taking the oath. However, he added that there was a moral argument for delaying the oath until the election process in Poonch and Sudhanoti was completed and the Legislative Assembly was fully constituted.
After completion of the House, elections would be held for the reserved seats, followed by the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Leader of the House.
Addressing allegations of electoral rigging, Mughal said the Election Commission had its own constitutional and institutional limitations and could not respond to political allegations through rhetoric.
He said the facts would become clear after completion of the elections, including whether rigging had occurred and, if so, who was responsible.
The Chief Election Commissioner clarified that election results are compiled by the Returning Officer, while votes are counted beforehand in the presence of polling agents.
