RAWALPINDI: Stage is all set for the Kashmiris living in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to use their right to vote in the elections to three AJK Legislative Assembly seats for migrants today (Sunday).

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Constituency LA-XXXIX-Jammu-VI fell in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; LA-XLIII-Kashmir Valley-IV comprises the area of Rawalpindi city union council 15 to 50; and LA-XLIV Kashmir Valley-V constituted areas of Rawalpindi City Union Council 1 to 14, Islamabad Capital Territory, Rawalpindi Cantonment and Attock district.

PML-N had won the seats in last election and this time a close contest is expected between PML-N, PPP and the ruling PTI.

Political parties established their camps outside the polling stations by Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Younas on Saturday handed over the election material to returning officers at the Government Gordon College.

AJK Election Commission officials have been deputed to supervise the election for the refugees’ seats.

As many as 97 polling stations have been set up in Rawalpindi for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections where 1,500 police officers and constables would be deployed to ensure law and order and enforce the code of conduct issued by the AJK Election Commission.

The CPO directed SSP Operations, Divisional SPs, SP Security, SP CIA, SDPOs, SHOs and all personnel deputed on election duty to effectively implement the code of conduct and all the rules.

Chairing a meeting, Ahsan Younas said that election code of conduct would be implemented in letter and spirit, adding, no one would be allowed to display weapon.

All-out efforts would be made to ensure implementation of rules and regulations and code of conduct issued by the AJK Election Commission, he added.

All available resources would be utilised to create a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the elections, he said and added that senior police officers would monitor the election process in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, a day before the AJK elections, a flag march was conducted by local police led by SSP operations Rai Mazhar Iqbal. The march started from the Police Lines and ended at headquarters via Ammar Chowk, Rawal Road, Chandni Chowk, Faizabad, Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, Marrir Chowk and Civil Lines.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2021