ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are gearing up to hold the regional general election on July 27, as scheduled by the election commission, an AJK government spokesman said on Sunday, despite protests prevailing in the territory over seats reserved for refugees.
The demonstrations began ahead of a June 9 strike called by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a recently banned civil rights movement, to protest reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the July 27 elections to the region’s 45-seat legislative assembly.
The refugees live in Pakistan after being displaced from Indian-administered Kashmir, following the 1947 partition of the Subcontinent. Last month, at least seven people, including four policemen and three protesters, were killed in violence in Rawalakot. Protest leaders said this week that two demonstrators were killed in clashes in Mirpur, a claim contested by regional police chief.
Clashes between local authorities and JAAC supporters have posed a sensitive challenge for Islamabad, which frequently criticizes New Delhi’s handling of dissent in Indian-administered Kashmir but is now facing anger in the territory under its own control.
“The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is fully aware of its constitutional and legal responsibilities and, together with all relevant institutions, will ensure the conduct of free, fair, peaceful, and transparent elections under all circumstances,” AJK government spokesman Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said at a televised press conference.
“God willing, according to the election schedule issued by the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the elections will be held on time, and there will be no change whatsoever in the schedule.”
Hussain’s announcement came days after protest leaders warned of marching on the regional capital of Muzaffarabad on July 15 if the government failed to meet their demands.
JAAC, which previously focused on economic and governance issues, has shifted its attention to demanding the abolition of 12 AJK assembly seats reserved for refugees. The group argues that these seats allow Pakistan’s mainstream political parties to influence government formation in AJK.
However, JAAC’s campaign suffered a setback last month when the AJK Supreme Court observed that the seats enjoy constitutional protection and cannot be abolished through executive or administrative action.
On June 5, the AJK government banned the rights alliance, citing reports about its involvement in “potential violence, acquisition of weapons, attacks on law-enforcement personnel, and plans to disrupt normal life.” JAAC denies the allegations and says its struggle for rights is peaceful.
Thousands of JAAC supporters are camped out on the outskirts of Rawalakot, about 100 km (62 miles) south of Muzaffarabad, the regional capital.
Hussain, however, said that all administrative, security and other preparations have been completed for the July 27 election, and the state machinery is performing its responsibilities with full commitment.
“We also appeal to the public to place their trust in the democratic process, exercise their right to vote responsibly, and play their full role in making the electoral process successful so that their representatives can reach the Legislative Assembly and legislate and serve the public in accordance with the wishes, priorities, and interests of the people,” he added.
