AJK Chief Election Commissioner reviews preparations for 2026 General Elections

MIRPUR: Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice (R) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, chaired a high-level meeting in Mirpur to review preparations for the 2026 General Elections, expressing satisfaction with the security and administrative arrangements.

The meeting was attended by Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan, District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs), senior officials from the divisional and district administrations, and police authorities.

District Returning Officers Jahangir Jarral (Mirpur), Muhammad Idrees Bhatti (Kotli), and Hafiz Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan (Bhimber) briefed the Chief Election Commissioner on election preparations in their respective districts.

Commissioner Mirpur Division Raja Tahir Mumtaz and DIG Kamran Ali also presented detailed briefings on security and logistical arrangements for the upcoming polls.

Addressing the meeting, Justice (R) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the shared objective of all institutions was to ensure free, fair, transparent, and impartial elections. He said the public has confidence in the judiciary, administration, and security institutions, and it is their collective responsibility to ensure peaceful polling.

The Chief Election Commissioner stressed that polling stations must be fully secured and that the safety of voters and polling staff should remain a top priority. He also urged all departments to work together to counter misinformation and rumours related to the elections.

Responding to concerns over the phased election schedule, he said the perception that results from one division could influence voting in another was baseless, adding that the political realities of Azad Kashmir are unique, with voters traditionally committed to their respective parties.

He noted that security forces have already begun reaching polling stations and reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to holding peaceful, transparent, and impartial elections.

Justice (R) Mughal also directed District Returning Officers, civil administration, and police officials to maintain close coordination to ensure the successful conduct of the electoral process in the national interest.