Polling in Bagh, Haveli on Monday as AJK elections enter final phase

AJK Election Commission says Rawalakot polls could be held on Aug 20 or 21 if sit-in is resolved within days

Polling in the Bagh and Haveli constituencies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Rawalakot Division will be held on Monday, amid heightened security, while elections in Rawalakot are likely to be conducted on August 20 or 21 if the ongoing protest sit-in in Rawalakot is resolved within the next few days, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said on Saturday.

Speaking to the media, the chief election commissioner said the AJK Election Commission had decided to hold polling in Bagh and Haveli first due to security considerations, with security personnel already deployed in the two districts and election material being transported under the supervision of the armed forces.

He said sufficient security arrangements had been made at polling stations, particularly those declared highly sensitive. As many as eight security personnel would be deployed at each highly sensitive polling station, he added.

Read: Final phase of AJK electoral process hits a snag

CEC Justice (retd) Mughal said efforts were also being made to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10 to facilitate polling-related communication and ensure smooth coordination between election officials and security agencies.

The chief election commissioner further said that the commission would be in a position to announce a polling date for the seven constituencies in Rawalakot and Sudhnoti districts within the next seven days.

“If the sit-in issue is resolved within a few days, elections in Rawalakot could be held on August 20 or 21,” CEC Mughal said, indicating that the Election Commission was closely monitoring the situation before fixing a new polling date.

The development comes as the final phase of the AJK general elections enters a critical stage, with voters in Bagh and Haveli preparing to cast their ballots on August 10, while the seven constituencies in Rawalakot and Sudhnoti remain affected by the security situation.

CEC Mughal said the Election Commission had earlier divided the final phase of polling in Rawalakot Division, covering Rawalakot, Bagh, Sudhnoti and Haveli, into separate arrangements following security concerns and developments on the ground. He said he expected voter turnout in Bagh and Haveli to exceed 60 per cent.

In response to a question, Justice (retd) Mughal said the commission would not respond to allegations levelled by political party leaders regarding the conduct of elections.

“We cannot respond to statements made by political leaders alleging rigging,” the chief election commissioner said, adding that the facts regarding whether any irregularity had occurred and who might have been responsible would become clear after completion of the election process.

He stressed that the vote-counting process was conducted in the presence of polling agents representing the contesting candidates, adding that the commission was committed to completing the electoral process in accordance with the law.

The chief election commissioner’s remarks came amid heightened political activity and competing claims by rival parties as the AJK elections enter their third phase.

The Bagh and Haveli contests are being closely watched because the outcome of the Rawalakot Division seats could have a significant bearing on the final balance of power in the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly. Major political parties have intensified their campaigns in the two constituencies, with candidates seeking to mobilise voters during the final hours before the campaign deadline.

With polling arrangements now largely in place, election authorities have shifted their focus to ensuring the secure transportation of polling material, the deployment of personnel and uninterrupted communication on polling day.

CEC Mughal has also urged candidates, polling agents and voters to cooperate with election staff and security personnel to ensure a peaceful polling process.

The outcome of the Bagh and Haveli elections will be closely watched as parties seek to strengthen their positions ahead of the eventual polling in Rawalakot, which could determine the final shape of the AJK Assembly once the entire electoral process is completed.