MUZAFFARABAD: The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday announced the schedule for election against four vacant seats of the AJK Council, putting to rest speculations about the process.

According to a press release, nomination papers can be submitted to the returning officer in his office here between 9am to 2pm on May 2, which would be scrutinised at the following day.

Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be filed before the CEC in his office from May 4 to May 6, between 9am to 2pm.

The CEC will hear the appeals at 10am on May 7 and announce decisions on them on May 11.

Candidates can withdraw their nominations by 12noon on May 12, and their final list will be displayed the following day.

Polling will be held on May 15.

The handout said that the qualification and disqualification of the AJK Council members was similar to that of the AJK Legislative Assembly members.

Headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan as chairman, the council comprises AJK president and prime minister and federal minister for Kashmir affairs as ex-officio members, five members nominated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan from time to time from amongst federal cabinet and Parliament, and six members elected by the AJK Assembly.

An elected member holds office for a five-year term.

For quite some time, the Council elections have gained notoriety for involvement of huge money, not only to obtain a party ticket but also to buy votes to grab the membership, in view of Rs45 million development funds at the disposal of each of the elected members, every year.

Same amount is also placed at the disposal of the federal minister for Kashmir affairs as well as the AJK president and premier.

The overall development budget of AJK Council for the current fiscal year was around Rs5.2 billion.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2016