MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Two presiding officers deployed in an urban constituency of district Kotli, went to a private residence instead of reaching their respective polling stations in a breach of code of conduct.
In a press release issued by the spokesperson of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission, it was stated that both the officers were arrested immediately.
The Election Commission said that upon receiving information of the incident, immediate instructions were issued to the relevant Returning Officer to take the election material (polling bags) into custody from the said presiding officers and replace them.
According to the spokesperson, the Returning Officer took action without delay and took the election material into custody, both presiding officers were removed from their duties and arrested.
New Presiding Officers appointed
According to the Election Commission, new Presiding Officers were appointed in their place and sent to the relevant polling stations so that the polling process continues according to the law, ensuring transparently, impartially and without interruption.
The spokesperson further stated that action is being taken against both arrested presiding officers under the existing election laws and other applicable laws.
The spokesperson said that the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission is committed to the transparency, impartiality, and full compliance with legal requirements of the election process.
“Any kind of negligence, mismanagement, or violation of the code of conduct and legal instructions in the election process will not be tolerated at all, and immediate, effective, and indiscriminate action will be taken in all such matters to maintain public confidence in the election process.”
It is worth noting that two presiding officers in Kotli were allegedly present at the house of a political supporter where PML-N candidate Fateh Mahmood arrived and demanded the Election Commission to take notice while making a video.
