Candidates from PML-N, PPP file papers for presidential election in AJK

Muzaffarabad: On Saturday, the PML-N and PPP parties officially submitted nomination papers for their presidential candidates in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), paving the way for the upcoming election on September 24. The office of the AJK president has been vacant since January following the death of Barrister Sultan Mahmood. Prior to this, Chaudhry Latif Akbar served as acting president, followed by current Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq since August 25.

The president is chosen by the Legislative Assembly by a majority vote, as per the AJK Constitution. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, received the nomination papers, acting as the returning officer for the election. PML-N candidate Dr Najeeb Naqi, 62, and PPP candidate Akbar, 78, were nominated by their respective parties with support from key party figures.

Both candidates appeared at the Election Commission office with their proposers and seonders, along with party members, to formally hand over their nomination papers. Both papers were deemed valid following review. Candidates can withdraw their nomination by September 23 at 11:30am. Voting will occur at the AJK Assembly Secretariat from 10am to 1pm on September 24, followed by vote tallying and result announcement on the same day.

Assembly elections in AJK took place last month in three phases due to security concerns, with only Bagh and Haveli constituencies holding polls as Poonch Division faced law and order issues. The PML-N won 25 seats and the PPP secured 12 in the legislative polls, with the PPP alleging rigging. The newly elected members took their oath from Akbar on August 24.