AJK extends voter registration deadline for 2026 assembly elections

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has prolonged the deadline for voter registration and revision of electoral rolls for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

The commission said the revision exercise, which started on March 24, is being carried out for 33 constituencies in 10 districts of AJK. It also covers 12 constituencies reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are settled in Pakistan.

Under the revised schedule, the last date for voter registration has been moved from April 7 to April 13. The commission said the extension was granted to help eligible citizens who have not yet enrolled in the electoral rolls complete the process within the new deadline.

It urged residents of the state who are still unregistered to ensure their names are included in the electoral lists before April 13.

Refugee constituencies also covered

The commission said the extension also applies to the revision and updating of electoral rolls for both categories of refugees settled in Pakistan. These include refugees from Jammu and those affected by the Mangla Dam extension, as well as refugees from the Kashmir Valley.

According to the statement, refugees who have not yet registered have been advised to complete their enrolment by submitting their computerised national identity cards along with proof of Kashmiri origin.

The commission said their votes would be entered in the relevant category on the basis of the permanent address listed on their CNICs.

Fresh schedule issued

On Thursday, the AJK Election Commission had issued a fresh schedule for the preparation, revision and correction of electoral rolls.

According to a notification, the final electoral rolls will be published on April 30.

The latest extension means eligible voters in general constituencies as well as refugees covered under the relevant categories will have additional time to complete registration and have their details updated ahead of the forthcoming 2026 Legislative Assembly polls.

The official statement reiterated that the ongoing revision process applies across the state’s constituencies identified for the exercise and to the refugee seats linked to people from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir residing in Pakistan.

The commission has asked those who have not yet completed registration to do so within the extended timeframe so their names can be included in the final rolls to be issued later this month.