MUZAFFARABAD – The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday announced the schedule for elections to eight reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, setting the stage for polling later this month.
The candidates seeking election to the reserved seats will submit their nomination papers on August 20 as per the schedule.
The commission will subsequently complete the scrutiny and other electoral procedures before publishing the final list of eligible candidates.
The development marks an important step in completing the composition of the legislative body and strengthening representation of the designated groups in the assembly.
The final list of candidates will be issued on August 23, a day before polling is scheduled to take place. Voting for all eight reserved seats will be held inside the AJK Legislative Assembly on August 24.
The reserved seats represent different sections of society and include five seats allocated for women. In addition, one seat has been reserved for religious scholars and spiritual leaders, commonly referred to as the Ulama and Mashaikh seat.
Another reserved seat has been allocated for overseas Kashmiris, while the eighth seat is designated for a technocrat.
The election schedule comes as part of the constitutional process for filling reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Unlike general seats, reserved seats are filled through a separate electoral mechanism involving members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Election Commission is responsible for overseeing the process, including the submission of nomination papers, publication of candidate lists and conduct of polling.
With the nomination process beginning on August 20, the candidates and political parties are expected to finalise their nominations ahead of the deadline.
The publication of the final candidate list on August 23 will provide clarity on the contestants just one day before polling.
The elections on August 24 will complete the process of filling the eight reserved seats, ensuring representation of women, religious scholars and spiritual leaders, overseas Kashmiris and professionals in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
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