Web Desk: Election commission in Azad Kashmir said they had completed preparations for the first phase of the 2026 elections, with polling set to begin in Mirpur on Sunday under heightened security and enhanced monitoring to ensure a peaceful and transparent vote.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan said polling materials had been delivered to returning officers and polling stations, while election personnel and security forces had been deployed across the region.
Officials said all administrative arrangements required for the election had been finalised in accordance with the constitutional schedule.
The Election Commission confirmed that polling materials had reached designated polling stations, while trained election staff had been assigned to oversee voting.
Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan said approximately 22,000 election workers had been deployed to conduct polling and manage election operations. He added that the Chief Election Commissioner had personally reviewed the arrangements and expressed satisfaction with the preparations.
Authorities said nearly 17,000 security personnel would be deployed to safeguard polling stations and maintain law and order during the election.
Police contingents from Pakistan’s four provinces will assist the Azad Kashmir Police, while Rangers and the Federal Constabulary have also been assigned security duties.
Officials said security agencies remain on high alert and warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process or disturb public order would face legal action.
The Chief Secretary said election campaigning had reached its peak across Azad Kashmir, particularly in the Mirpur Division, with political parties holding corner meetings and displaying campaign banners, posters and party flags.
He added that leaders of major political parties from across Pakistan had travelled to the region to campaign and present their election manifestos ahead of polling.
Authorities said the campaign period had remained peaceful, with no major untoward incidents reported.
Election authorities also raised concerns over what they described as misleading content circulating on social media regarding the election.
Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan said old videos promoting an election boycott were being reshared online to create a false impression about the voting process.
He urged voters to rely on official information and said authorities were closely monitoring online activity aimed at spreading misinformation or undermining public confidence in the election.
The Chief Secretary said Azad Kashmir has historically recorded strong voter turnout and expressed confidence that public participation would remain high in this year’s election.
He said residents had consistently exercised their democratic rights peacefully and were expected to continue that tradition.
Election officials also appealed to voters to reject uncertainty and participate in the democratic process by casting their ballots for candidates of their choice.
Authorities said all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure the elections were conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner across Azad Kashmir.
Read more: Election countdown begins in Mirpur as polling materials reach stations
