The chief election commissioner says peaceful voting must be ensured at all costs as phased voting begins on July 27.
MUZAFFARABAD/MIRPUR:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Saturday warned political parties against violating the code of conduct during the general election campaign, saying such violations would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that it was taking all necessary steps to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
“Federal and provincial ministers can campaign in elections, but they cannot use official protocol or government resources,” said a spokesperson for the AJK Election Commission, adding that the use of government machinery for electoral purposes would constitute a violation of the code of conduct.
The spokesperson said the announcement of new development projects or financial packages during the election campaign was prohibited, adding that any announcement of new public welfare projects during the campaign would also be considered a violation of the code of conduct.
“Vehicles, equipment and relief items sent by the federal or provincial government will be confiscated and action will be taken in accordance with the law against violations of the code of conduct,” the spokesperson said.
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The AJK Election Commission has ordered federal and provincial ministers, candidates and political parties to strictly adhere to the code of conduct.
According to a spokesperson for the commission, all political parties should adhere to the electoral code of conduct to ensure transparent elections and maintain public trust.
Meanwhile, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal chaired a review meeting on the arrangements for the elections in Mirpur.
The meeting was attended by Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan, district returning officers, returning officers and divisional and district administration and police officers.
Mirpur district officers Jahangir Ahmad Jarral, Kotli, Muhammad Idrees Bhatti and Bhimber, Hafiz Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan briefed Mughal, while Mirpur divisional commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and deputy inspector general (DIG) Kamran Ali briefed the meeting about the arrangements for the elections.
Expressing satisfaction over the security arrangements for the elections, Mughal said the main objective was to hold free, fair and impartial elections.
He added that “the nation has confidence in the judiciary, the administration and the security institutions” and stated that “the peaceful holding of the elections must be guaranteed at all costs.”
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Mughal emphasized that all institutions will have to work together to “prove that the rumors related to the elections are false” and that the entire electoral process must be carried out successfully. He stated that ensuring the security of polling stations was the responsibility of security institutions, adding that it is their responsibility to provide protection to voters and electoral staff.
Further, the chief election commissioner said, “Several reservations were raised regarding the phased elections, but the impression that the results of one division could influence another division is baseless,” adding that “Azad Kashmir has its own realities, and its people are committed to their respective political parties.”
Mughal also noted that security forces had begun arriving at polling stations. “Our endeavor is to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in Azad Kashmir. Through collective effort, we must make the electoral process successful in national interest,” he said.
On 21 July, Mughal announced that the next elections would begin on 27 July as scheduled, but noted that the elections would now be held in three phases in different divisions, with the armed forces deployed to supervise the electoral process.
Elections in Mirpur division will be held on July 27, while Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies will go to polls on August 2 and elections in Poonch division will take place on August 10.
