Former AJK President seeks postponement of July 27 Elections

ISLAMABAD: Former President and former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, requesting the postponement of the July 27, 2026 General Elections due to the prevailing law and order situation.

In his letter, Yaqoob Khan argued that the deteriorating security environment, recent violent incidents, and the resulting loss of life and property have made it extremely difficult to hold peaceful, free, and fair elections on the scheduled date.

He stated that under Article 50(7) of the Interim Constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 1974, and Section 53 of the Elections Act, 2020, it is the constitutional and legal responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that elections are conducted in a safe, transparent, and impartial environment.

He urged the Commission to exercise its legal powers to consider postponing the polls in light of the current circumstances.

The former president emphasized that the purpose of democratic elections is not merely to conduct polling on a fixed date but to ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote freely and without fear.

Yaqoob Khan also called on the Election Commission to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the law and order situation across AJK, seek detailed reports from the civil administration, police, and law enforcement agencies regarding security arrangements, and hold urgent consultations with all major political parties and other key stakeholders.

He urged the Election Commission to postpone the July 27 General Elections for an appropriate period so that the polls can be held later in a peaceful, secure, and transparent environment.