Only 117 nomination papers filed as AJK election deadline approaches

MUZAFFARABAD: With two days remaining before the deadline for filing nomination papers for Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s general elections, only 117 nominations had been submitted across 45 constituencies as of Wednesday, according to an election official.

AJK Election Commission Secretary Raja Shakeel Khan said 83 nomination papers had been filed in 33 territorial constituencies, while another 34 were received for the 12 constituencies in Pakistan reserved for post-1947 refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The update comes amid a region-wide shutter-down strike that has continued since June 9. In recent days, reports had suggested that the Election Commission was considering allowing the deputy election commissioner, based at Poonch House in Rawalpindi, to receive nomination papers for the five constituencies of Poonch district, whose headquarters is in Rawalakot.

Those reports were linked to the situation in Rawalakot, where movement in and around the town has been restricted by the authorities amid sit-ins staged by supporters of the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee at at least two suburban locations since June 10.

However, Raja Shakeel Khan said the proposal had only been discussed and no final decision had been made. He said candidates would still be required to submit their nomination papers to the returning officers of their respective constituencies.

Speaking on the question of a possible extension in the filing deadline, Khan said the Election Commission had not yet taken any such decision. He added that the matter would be decided on June 19 if required.