AJK Election Commission announces schedule for polling on reserved seats

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has announced the polling schedule for reserved seats in the AJK Assembly, set to take place on August 24. The Commission informed that these elections will determine members for five seats reserved for women, one for Ulema-e-Deen or Mashaikh, one for individuals residing abroad, and one for technocrats and other professionals.

Directly elected members of the Assembly are tasked with electing these members to the reserved seats, classified under Rule 76(2) of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Elections Rules, 2020. Polling for the reserved seats is scheduled from 10 am to 1 pm at the AJK Assembly.

Candidates can file their nomination papers with the returning officer on August 20, between 9 am and 2 pm. Following the deadline, the RO will review the papers and publish a list of validly nominated candidates. Candidates have the option to appeal against the RO's decision on August 21, between 9 am and 12 pm, followed by a hearing by the Chief Election Commissioner on August 22, from 9 am to 12 pm.

The Assembly comprises 53 members in total, with 45 elected directly and eight by members of the Assembly. Elections to seven directly elected seats, including five in Poonch and two in Sudhnoti, could not be held due to security concerns. Consequently, the reserved-seat elections will be contested by the 38 directly elected members so far, representing 84.4% of the total directly elected membership.