AJK gears up for Mirpur division polls as CEC urges massive voter turnout

• Chief Election Commissioner calls voting a national, constitutional and Islamic duty ahead of July 27 elections

• Polling material dispatched across Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli under tight security arrangements

• Police, Rangers and Quick Response Force deployed to ensure peaceful, transparent and orderly voting

• Political observers predict a closely fought contest between PPP and PML-N in all 13 constituencies.

 MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday called on voters to participate actively in the Mirpur Division elections scheduled for July 27, describing voting as a national, constitutional and Islamic duty, as election authorities completed final preparations and dispatched polling material under extensive security arrangements.

In a public message issued from Muzaffarabad, Justice Mughal urged every eligible voter to exercise their democratic right by coming out to vote and freely electing representatives of their choice.

He said exercising the right to vote was vital for strengthening democracy and encouraged citizens to play an active role in the electoral process by choosing candidates capable of effectively addressing public issues.

The chief election commissioner assured voters that comprehensive security arrangements had been made at all polling stations to ensure a peaceful, transparent and orderly electoral process.

He said security forces, backed by Quick Response Force (QRF) personnel, would remain deployed throughout polling to maintain law and order and facilitate voters.

Justice Mughal also warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process would face legal action in accordance with the law. He added that the state would ensure the security of voters travelling to and from polling stations so they could cast their ballots without fear.

PPP, PML-N set for close contest in Mirpur Division

Meanwhile, election authorities have begun distributing polling material across Mirpur Division ahead of the general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with voting set to take place on July 27 under stringent security arrangements.

Polling will be held in four constituencies in Mirpur district, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli, with election material being dispatched in phases to the respective constituencies across the three districts.

Election Commission officials said the distribution process was continuing according to constituency-wise schedules, while comprehensive security measures had been put in place to ensure the safe transportation and delivery of polling material to all polling stations.

Police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert, and a comprehensive security plan has been implemented to ensure a peaceful, transparent and orderly election.

Additional security personnel have also been deployed, with enhanced monitoring at sensitive polling stations to prevent any untoward incident.

Political observers expect a closely fought contest between candidates of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) across Mirpur Division, where polling will determine representation in 13 constituencies.