MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Tuesday decided that preparations for the 2026 general elections would commence forthwith, fixing April 1, 2026, as the qualifying date for voter registration and issuing a series of instructions on electoral and administrative matters.

The directives were gi­­ven by Chief Election Co­­mmissioner (CEC) retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal at the first formal meeting of the top electoral body after his swearing-in on Friday.

In view of what it des­cri­bed as limited time available before the next general elections, the CEC ordered immediate initiation of preparatory work.

The meeting decided that assistant commissioners in AJK would serve as registration officers, while in Pakistan, district election commissioners — subject to the consent of the Chief Election Com­missio­ner of Pakistan — would be designated as registration officers for refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir residing there.

It asked the Legislative Assembly members who had not yet submitted their statements of assets — due to the commission not being fully constituted earlier — to file their declarations within 10 days, failing which their membership would be suspended in accordance with the law.

Regarding registration of political parties, the commission decided to issue directions through the media, asking all parties to complete the process without delay.

The secretary election commission was instruc­ted to constitute a scrutiny committee and present cases of eligible parties before the commission within one week.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2026