MUZAFFARABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Monday announced the election schedule for general elections, 2016 in Azad Kashmir. He said the polling for the legislative assembly will be held on 21st July, 2016.
Addressing a crowded press conference here, the AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said that the constitutional tenure of AJK Legislative assembly expires on 24th July, 2016. He said under the constitution, it is mandatory to hold elections 60 days before the last date.
The Chief Election Commissioner said the candidates can file their nomination papers by 16th June. Checking of the nomination papers will be held on 17th June. He said appeals against acceptance or rejection of papers would be received on 22nd June and their hearing will be held on 23rd and 24th June. Decisions on these appeals will be announced on 25th and 26th June. He said the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers on 27th June and final list of candidates will be displayed on 28th June and election symbols will be allotted on 29th June.
Mr Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said that there are 22,37, 058 voters including 12,11,842 men and 10,25,216 women in AJK’s ten districts. For Refugees 12 constituencies, a total of 4,44,634 voters will be entitled to exercise their right to franchise.
Replying to a question, he said new voters lists have been prepared with the cooperation of NADRA for 2016 elections and bogus votes have been removed. Votes have been removed.
The Chief Commissioner announced a complete ban on promotion, transfers of government employees and put a ban on new schemes, inauguration or foundation stone laying ceremonies of new development schemes.
He said elections will be held under the security of army and rangers and a code of conduct for political parties and candidates has been issued. He said in AHK elections will be held under Judiciary while in 12 constituencies in Pakistan, these would be held under the supervision of Election Commission of Pakistan.
