Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Tuesday announced that upcoming polls in the region will be conducted in three phases, spanning July 27-Aug. 10.
According to Mughal, Mirpur Division would proceed to the ballot box on July 27, followed by Muzaffarabad Division on Aug. 2 and Poonch Division on Aug. 10. Previously, the Election Commission of AJK had announced a single-day election schedule, July 27, with polling to take place 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mirpur has 13 constituencies; Muzaffarabad nine constituencies; and Poonch Division 11 constituencies. There are 12 refugee constituencies, polling on which would take place on Aug. 2.
The Election Commission has said 1,265 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the 45 constituencies, including 12 refugee constituencies, for the upcoming elections. Some 1,047 candidates have filed their nomination papers against 33 constituencies within the territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while as many as 218 candidates have filed their nomination papers against 12 Kashmiri refugee seats.
According to AJK Election Commission, the scrutiny process in 45 constituencies is complete, with 41 nomination papers rejected on legal grounds.
Polling would proceed at 6,983 polling stations, with 10,913 polling booths for 3,804,368 voters. In total, 22 political parties are participating in the elections.