MUZAFFARABAD: The ruling PML-N and opposition PPP on Saturday submitted nomination papers for their respective candidates for the office of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) president, setting the stage for a contest on Sept 24.

The PML-N has fielded 62-year-old former minister Dr Najeeb Naqi, while the PPP has nominated 78-year-old senior parliamentarian and former speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar for the constitutional office.

The nomination papers were received by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, who is also the returning officer for the presidential election.

Dr Naqi was proposed by senior PML-N leader and former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider and seconded by Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani.

Mr Akbar’s nomination was proposed by former minister Deevan Ali Khan Chughtai and seconded by fellow legislator Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi.

Dr Naqi arrived at the Election Commission’s office accompanied by his proposer and seconder, as well as several other PML-N legislators, including the party’s regional president, Shah Ghulam Qadir.

Mr Haider and Mr Gillani posed for photographs with the nomination paper as they handed it over to the CEC.

Mr Akbar was also accompanied by several PPP legislators, who posed for photographs during the submission of his nomination papers.

Both nomination papers were declared valid after scrutiny.

As per the rules, candidates may withdraw their nomination papers by 11:30am on Sept 23, while polling will be held at the AJK Assembly Secretariat from 10am to 1pm on Sept 24, followed by counting of votes and announcement of the result on the same day.

Under the AJK Constitution, the president is elected by members of the Legislative Assembly by a majority of the total membership, in the manner prescribed by law.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026