MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Tuesday announced the schedule for the third phase of the recently-held local government (LG) elections, fixing March 2 for polling to elect the heads of the LG institutions.

According to a press release, interested candidates could file their nominations for the positions of chairman and vice chairman and mayor and deputy mayor by 11am on Feb 25. The scrutiny of nomination papers would be held between 12 noon and 1pm the same day, following which the list of eligible candidates would be published.

Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers could also be filed with the tribunal the same day until 4pm which would be heard and disposed of by 3pm on Feb 27.

Candidates could withdraw their nominations until 2pm on Feb 28, following which the final list of candidates would be published, the press release said, adding that polling would be held from 10am to 2pm on March 2.

AJK Election Commission Secretary Mohammad Ghazanfar made it clear that only the directly-elected members could contest for the heads of local government institutions. However, those elected against special [reserved] seats could participate in the voting process.

He said candidates nominated by political parties for these slots were required to attach the ticket of their respective party along with their nomination papers.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2023