Third-phase Legislative Assembly polling began Monday in the Bagh and Haveli districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir [2, 3, 6].
The split execution of this phase highlights the volatile security environment in the region. While some districts proceed with democratic exercises, the suspension of voting in others underscores the challenges of maintaining order during high-stakes elections.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission (AJK EC) initiated voting in four constituencies across the Bagh and Haveli districts [2]. According to official data, 460,371 eligible voters [6] are registered to cast ballots across 803 polling stations [6]. A total of 82 candidates are contesting the seats in these four areas [3].
Not all regions in the Poonch Division were able to proceed. The AJK EC revised the polling plan on Aug. 7 [1]. This revision led to the deferment of voting in the Poonch and Sudhanoti districts [1].
Reports indicate that polling was postponed in seven constituencies within the Poonch Division [5]. Officials said security concerns were the primary reason for the delay in these specific areas [1, 4, 5].
The current voting process is part of a scheduled multi-phase approach to electing the Legislative Assembly. The commission has not yet announced the new dates for the postponed constituencies in Poonch and Sudhanoti [1].
“Voting started in four constituencies on Monday, though security concerns forced the postponement of polls in Poonch and Sudhanoti.”
The partial postponement of the third-phase elections indicates a fragmented security landscape within the Poonch Division. By proceeding in Bagh and Haveli while pausing in Poonch and Sudhanoti, the AJK Election Commission is attempting to balance the mandate for timely elections with the physical safety of voters and staff. The eventual rescheduling of the seven postponed constituencies will be critical to ensuring the legitimacy and inclusivity of the Legislative Assembly's final composition.
