AJK Election commission extends nomination deadline

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has made a significant amendment to the election schedule for the 2026 general elections and extended the period for filing nomination papers.

According to the notification issued by the Election Commission, candidates will now be able to submit their nomination papers to the respective Returning Officers till 5 pm on June 23, 2026, while the polling will be held on July 27, 2026, as per the schedule.

As per the amended schedule, the scrutiny of nomination papers will begin on June 24. Appeals against the decisions of the Returning Officers can be filed with the Election Commission from June 25 to 28, while these appeals will be heard on June 29 and 30. The Election Commission will announce the decisions on the appeals on July 1 and 2.

According to the notification, candidates will be able to withdraw their nomination papers till 2 pm on July 3. The final list of candidates participating in the elections will be released on July 4, while the election symbols will be allotted to the candidates on July 5.

The Election Commission has clarified that the candidates of Poonch district will submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officers of their respective constituencies as usual, and the scrutiny process will also be completed in the respective districts.

According to the commission, the proposal for temporary arrangements for filing and scrutiny of nomination papers in Poonch has been withdrawn. The Election Commission has directed all the candidates to submit their nomination papers within the stipulated time.