KOTLI (Kashmir English): Election Cell In-charge of Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Abdul Shakoor, has expressed serious concern over the alleged irregularities, riots and interference in the electoral process during polling in various constituencies of AJK.
He said that in the constituency of Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin in LA-12 Charhoi, the Muslim League (N) candidate Raja Riyat Khan is allegedly trying to influence the polling process by reaching the polling stations along with armed men, due to which there is fear and panic among the voters.
He also said that due to the slowness of mobile phone service, the local population and the media are facing difficulties in communication.
According to Sardar Abdul Shakoor, attempts are being made by the PML-N to interfere and disrupt the polling process at polling station number 104 Radh Kattar (near LoC) in Raj Mahal of LA-8 Kotli-1, which is likely to affect the electoral atmosphere.
He added that attempts were also made to stop polling at several polling stations in LA-13 Khoi Ratta. According to him, the PML-N at polling station number 108 Rupri and the IPP in polling station number 159 Patha (LoC) affected the polling process, which is against the principles of free, fair and transparent elections.
He further said that reports of rioting and disruption of the polling process have been received at polling stations number 29 and 30 of LA-9 Kotli Nikyal, due to which immediate administrative measures are required.
Sardar Abdul Shakoor said that on the request of the Pakistan Peoples Party candidate in LA-12 Kotli Five, polling stations number 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 48 and 49 have been declared sensitive and additional police personnel have been demanded to be deployed there so that the polling process can continue peacefully, transparently and without any fear or intimidation.
He also added that in LA-5 Bhimber One, polling was affected due to riots at polling stations number 119, 120 and 121 of the constituency of Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf.
Although polling resumed after the arrival of security forces, the polling process is extremely slow, which is causing difficulties for the voters.
Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, district administration and law enforcement agencies take immediate notice of all complaints and make security at the relevant polling stations effective, and continue the polling process without interruption.
