ISLAMABAD: The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections will begin on Monday, with authorities reaffirming their commitment to ensuring a free, fair and transparent electoral process.
Chief Secretary Azad Jammu and Kashmir Khushal Khan and Secretary of the AJK Election Commission Raja Muhammad Shakeel made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad on Sunday.
They said the elections will be conducted in three phases, with comprehensive arrangements already in place to ensure the smooth conduct of polling.
Khushal Khan said all necessary administrative and security measures have been finalised to guarantee peaceful, impartial and transparent elections across the three districts of the Mirpur Division.
He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or undermine law and order.
The first phase of the general elections in Azad Kashmir is commencing tomorrow in a free, fair and transparent manner.#News #Kashmir #RadioPakistan https://t.co/upUdXuAbQp
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 26, 2026
Raja Muhammad Shakeel said polling material has been dispatched to polling stations and all logistical preparations have been completed ahead of voting.
Both officials urged voters to actively participate in the democratic process by exercising their right to vote, saying public participation is essential for addressing local issues through democratic means.
They also appealed to the public to disregard misleading propaganda circulating on social media and rely only on official sources for election-related information.
In the first phase, elections will be held in 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, where a total of 287 candidates are contesting the polls.
According to the Election Commission, a complete ban has been imposed on rallies, processions and corner meetings after the end of the stipulated period of election campaign. The Commission has warned that legal action will be taken against those violating the model code of conduct.
1,265 candidates submitted nomination papers
A total of 1,265 candidates have submitted nomination papers for the elections, covering 45 constituencies, including 33 general seats and 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees.
Of the total candidates, 1,047 have filed nomination papers for constituencies within Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while 218 candidates are contesting refugee constituencies.
The scrutiny process for all 45 constituencies has been completed, with the election authorities rejecting 41 nomination papers on legal grounds.
The commission has planned 6,983 polling stations and 10,913 polling booths for more than 3.8 million registered voters. Around 3.36 million voters in AJK will vote through 5,926 polling stations, with women making up 48 per cent and men 52 per cent of the electorate.
Indian supported joint action committee activist caught red handed
Earlier, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said investigations by the country’s security agencies had uncovered an India-linked digital propaganda network involving an arrested digital marketing service provider connected to the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Also Read: Indian Supported Joint Action Committee Activist Caught Red Handed
The minister said investigators had gathered evidence showing that social media campaigns promoting anti-Pakistan content and activities related to the banned group were financed from India.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said the investigation had exposed a coordinated digital disinformation operation aimed at spreading anti-state narratives, targeting Pakistan’s sovereignty, state institutions, the armed forces and the Chief of Army Staff through organised social media campaigns.
Referring to previous protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Tarar said the banned committee was involved in encouraging violence, blocking roads and creating law and order problems.
He said that demonstrations organised by the banned group had resulted in the deaths of Kashmiri police personnel and disrupted public order.
The minister said authorities now possessed “irrefutable evidence” linking the banned action committee to India.
“There should no longer be any doubt that its links lead to India, and we now have undeniable evidence,” he said.
