The first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s general elections has begun in the Mirpur division under heightened security after weeks of unrest triggered by a dispute over reserved refugee seats.
MIRPUR, Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Voting began Monday in the Mirpur division as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) launched the first phase of its general elections under a revised schedule shaped by weeks of political unrest and heightened security.
The Election Commission divided polling across 45 Legislative Assembly constituencies into three phases after campaign activities were disrupted by protests organized by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Authorities recently banned the group under anti-terrorism laws following prolonged demonstrations.
The political dispute centers on JAAC’s demand to abolish 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. The organization argues that the reserved seats enable Pakistan’s mainstream political parties to exert undue influence over the formation of the AJK government.
The constitutional status of the refugee seats became a key legal issue during the unrest. The AJK Supreme Court ruled that the reserved constituencies are protected under the Constitution and cannot be removed through executive action, reinforcing their legal standing ahead of the elections.
Security has been significantly increased across polling stations in the Mirpur division. Election officials and law enforcement agencies have warned that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process will be dealt with under the law to ensure peaceful and transparent voting.
Under the revised election timetable, polling in the Muzaffarabad division and refugee constituencies is scheduled for August 2, while voting in the Poonch division will conclude the three-phase election process on August 10.
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