AJK election race heats up as nominations hit record high

ISLAMABAD: Preparations for the 2026 general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have accelerated, with the AJK Election Commission reporting a record number of nomination papers compared with the 2021 polls.

According to Election Commission Secretary Raja Shakeel Khan, nomination papers were received in all constituencies, including refugee seats and the Rawalakot division, until June 23. He said the commission had so far received 518 nomination papers from across AJK, including the Mirpur, Poonch and Rawalakot divisions.

Khan said 114 nomination papers were submitted for reserved refugee seats, while 130 were filed from the seven constituencies of the Poonch division. Election officials said the large number of candidates entering the race reflected strong political engagement and public participation in the electoral process.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said polling arrangements were also being refined ahead of the vote. He said two polling booths would be set up at polling stations where the number of registered voters exceeds 500 in order to make voting easier for the public.