Polling underway in first phase of elections in Pakistan's Azad Kashmir region

ISLAMABAD: The first phase of elections in 33 constituencies of Pakistan's Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) region started on Sunday, local media reported.
AJK is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity and constitutes the western portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947.
Over 3.2 million voters will elect a 53-member assembly in the region for a five-year term. Out of 53 seats, 45 are general, while eight are reserved for women, technocrats and religious scholars.
"Election fever has taken over the region, which is going to elect regional assembly on July 25," the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has declared the offices of the returning officers (ROs) as polling stations.
"Government officers deputed to fulfill electoral duties have been directed to cast their vote at the polling stations established by the ROs of their respective constituencies," Tribune said. "Some 5,114 presiding officers, 7,336 polling officers and 14,672 polling assistants will be casting their votes today."