https://arab.news/p9xud
- Polling takes place after first phase of elections in Mirpur Division earlier this week triggered clashes between protesters, law enforcers
- Voting also being held for 12 seats for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir, which has triggered protests by the banned JAAC
ISLAMABAD: Polling for the second phase of elections in the Azad Kashmir region is underway in the Muzaffarabad Division, state media reported on Sunday, with heavy deployment of law enforcement agencies as ongoing protests in the region threaten further clashes.
Voting is being held across the general constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and the contentious 12 seats for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir, which triggered deadly clashes between the government and a recently banned group.
Polling in Muzaffarabad takes place today under the shadow of election violence earlier this week, with banned protest group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claiming 31 of its members were killed in clashes with law enforcers during polling in Mirpur Division. Federal and regional government officials maintained the group had carried out violent attacks during the first phase of elections, causing the deaths of two security personnel.
Polling began at 8:00 am in the morning and is expected to continue till five in the evening across 1,483 polling stations in the division, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. It further said that 809,621 voters are registered in Muzaffarabad Division, including 427,955 men and 381,666 women.
“Along with general constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division, polling will also be held for twelve refugee seats,” Radio Pakistan said.
’NO LAW AND ORDER PROBLEM’
The JAAC rose to prominence last year over grievances including electricity tariffs, governance and economic rights. More recently, it has focused its campaign on the 12 seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir.
The JAAC argues that the arrangement allows Pakistan-based political parties to influence the formation of the regional government. Authorities say the seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference on Saturday evening, AJK Secretary Election Commission Raja Muhammad Shakeel urged the masses to actively participate in the polling process.
’There is no problem of law and order in Muzaffarabad and the deployment of law enforcement agencies will remain as it was in Mirpur to ensure peaceful conduct of elections,” Shakeel was quoted as saying by the state broadcaster.
Azad Kashmir Police warned in a statement on Saturday evening that groups of 20 to 30 individuals have reportedly been organized at various intersections, roads, bridges and markets across Muzaffarabad to “create disturbances” during polling.
Police warned that in the subsequent clashes with law enforcers, those who will be killed or injured at the hands of the security forces will be used for propaganda later.
“The aim of this entire operation is to create an atmosphere of unrest so that people become frightened and refrain from casting their votes,” police said, urging the masses to refrain from taking part in such conspiracies.
The now weeks-old protest by the JAAC has overshadowed the election, with residents reporting low voter turnout in Mirpur Division. However, AJK Election Commission member Muhammad Ahsan said on Saturday that the first phase of elections in Mirpur recorded a significant turnout of 46 percent, compared to the usual 40-42 percent.
The final phase of the elections will be held in the Poonch Division, where voters will turn to the ballot box on August 10.
Pakistan’s federal government has defended the Azad Kashmir administration’s handling of the unrest, blaming the JAAC for instigating masses to violence in the region. The JAAC rejects the allegations.