Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission awaits vacancy notice

ISLAMABAD: (Rizwan Abbasi) Regarding the elections of the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission has clarified that an official notification of the vacancy of the office of the President must be issued.

According to sources, the notification of the vacancy of the office has not been issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly yet, after which the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has issued an official notification and sought clarification.

According to the notification, the election schedule for the election of the President can be started only after the notification is issued. According to the constitutional period, this 30-day period will be counted from the date when the office is officially declared vacant and the official notification is issued.

According to Article 9 of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution of 1974, in the event of the death or vacancy of the office of the President, the Speaker of the Assembly shall issue an official notification and ensure the holding of elections.

The announcement further said that the supervision and completion of the election of the President will be under the jurisdiction of the Chief Election Commission, and a transparent and impartial election process will be ensured in accordance with the constitution and law. According to sources, the elections will begin only after the election schedule and legal proceedings are completed. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has also assured the public and political parties that it will fulfill its responsibilities transparently, impartially and in accordance with the law.