• CEC says polling date will be unveiled within a week if security situation improves
• Polling in four Bagh, Haveli constituencies tomorrow

MUZAFFARABAD: Amid rigging allegations over the conduct of phased elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, AJK Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said that the elections in seven of the 11 Poonch division constituencies could be held as early as Aug 20 or 21 if the security situation improves.

Talking to a group of journalists at his office on Saturday, the CEC said the commission would be in a position to announce the election date for Poonch and Sudhnoti within the next seven days, adding that voters in the two districts would have to be given time for campaigning.

“If the sit-in ends within the next three or four days, or if a security solution is found, elections there could be held by Aug 20 or 21,” he said.

Poonch division, comprising 11 constituencies — three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch and two in Sudhnoti districts — has a total of 1,154,626 registered voters.

Monday’s polling, however, will be held in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli, where 238,664 men and 221,707 women are eligible to cast their ballots at 803 polling stations with 1,254 polling booths.

A total of 82 candidates are in the fray, with the highest number of 30 contesting LA-14 (Central Bagh) and the lowest, nine, in LA-17 (Haveli). The contestants include one sitting prime minister, two former prime ministers, one sitting minister, three former ministers and one sitting member of the AJK Council.

“I appeal to the people of Bagh and Haveli to complete the process of change through their votes,” Justice Mughal said, adding that voting was “not only their democratic right but also a religious obligation, as it is their responsibility to ensure that the trust (amanat) reaches its rightful recipient”.

He said security personnel had already reached Bagh and Haveli and transportation of polling material was under way under the supervision of the army.

Asked about the oath-taking of successful candidates, the chief election commissioner said there was no constitutional impediment to their taking the oath.

“However, there is a moral justification for not administering the oath until the House becomes complete following the completion of the electoral process in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.”

“Once the House is complete, elections will be held for the reserved seats, followed by the elections for the speaker, deputy speaker and leader of the House,” he added.

He said eight security personnel each would be deployed at polling stations identified as highly sensitive from a security perspective. “The security personnel who had been deployed in Muzaffarabad have now been moved to Bagh and Haveli,” he said.

He added that the EC would try to have internet services restored in Bagh and Haveli on Aug 9 and 10 to facilitate the compilation and transmission of election results.

On allegations of rigging levelled by political leaders, the CEC said, “The Election Commission has its own limitations. Political leaders’ allegations cannot be answered through statements or political rhetoric.

“Once the elections are completed, we will bring the facts before the public — whether rigging took place and, if so, who was responsible for it.

Explaining the procedure for compilation of results, Justice Mughal said, “The Returning Officer compiles the result, while counting is conducted beforehand in the presence of the polling agents of the candidates.”

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026