Azad Kashmir election chief calls vote region’s ‘toughest’ as violence mars first phase

ISLAMABAD: The chief election commissioner of Azad Kashmir on Monday described the first phase of the region’s general election as the “toughest” in its history after deadly clashes between security forces and supporters of a banned civil rights group marred polling, though the authorities say the remaining phases of the vote would proceed as scheduled.

The first phase of the staggered election was overshadowed by violence in Rawalakot, where supporters of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) attempted to march toward the regional capital of Muzaffarabad. Police said a ranger was killed and several officers were wounded in attacks by protesters, while JAAC said 18 protesters had been killed in the clashes.

Arab News could not independently verify either account.

“As far as I know, this was the toughest election in the history of the region,” Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal told reporters after polling ended.

“There have been a few incidents,” he added. “Every party tries to exaggerate such events.”

Mughal said authorities had acted swiftly after reports of irregularities during polling, including an incident in Kotli in which two presiding officers were arrested after allegedly taking polling material to a candidate’s residence.

He said the polling material had been recovered, replacement officials appointed and polling continued.

He also referred to disruptions in Rajmahal, Nakyal and Samahni, saying polling resumed after law enforcement intervened. A political worker was killed in Nakyal, he said, but voting was completed there.

Mughal described the violence in Rawalakot as regrettable but declined to comment further, saying it was the responsibility of state institutions to maintain order and ensure the electoral process continued.

“The elections in this division will be held on Aug. 2 as scheduled,” he said, referring to the next phase of polling in Muzaffarabad division.

In a statement issued later, AJK Police accused the banned JAAC of attacking a security post on the outskirts of Rawalakot after polls closed, saying a paramilitary serviceman was killed, three police officers were wounded and vehicles belonging to the Rangers and police were set on fire.

The police accused JAAC of attempting to sabotage the election through violence and said the state would maintain its writ and bring those responsible to justice.

JAAC rejected the official account, with Liaqat Hayat, a senior leader of the group, telling Arab News late on Monday that the bodies of 18 protesters had been recovered from Rawalakot.

The latest violence followed weeks of unrest in the Himalayan region, where JAAC has organized protests demanding the abolition of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir.

The group argues the seats allow Pakistan’s mainstream political parties to influence the formation of governments in Azad Kashmir, an allegation Pakistani authorities reject.

JAAC, which was banned under anti-terrorism laws last month, boycotted the election.

Its campaign suffered a setback after the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court ruled that the reserved seats are protected under the constitution and cannot be abolished through executive or administrative action.