Chief Election Commissioner Azad Jammu and Kashmir Justice Retired Abdul Rasheed Salharia said that local body elections in Azad Kashmir will be held on schedule as per the schedule, Azad Kashmir government has provided the required 100% funds for the local body elections and so far 28 crores have been spent.
We request the political leaders to avoid such statements that spread despair and anarchy, the people and politicians of Azad Kashmir to actively participate in this national duty and support us in completing the process of local elections. More days are left and in view of the severe weather conditions, the elections will be decided as the polling day approaches in areas with heavy snowfall.
The Election Commission has completed all arrangements for the local body elections. The people should make full preparations for the local body elections. He expressed these views while briefing the media along with Senior Member Election Commission Raja Mohammad Farooq Niaz in his office.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that it is the responsibility of the Azad Kashmir government to provide security forces to maintain law and order during local elections and in this regard, the government has given full assurance of providing security forces. He said that I myself have spoken to Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in this regard and he is ready to provide security.
On this occasion, Raja Muhammad Farooq Niaz, senior member of the Election Commission of Jammu and Kashmir, said that the process of printing the ballot paper for the local body elections has been completed and the polling materials have been distributed and the polling scheme has been completed.
During the municipal elections, 29 lakh 50 thousand 129 voters of Azad Kashmir will cost their right to vote.
During the municipal elections, 10556 candidates are contesting while 42 candidates have been elected unopposed. The Member Election Commission said that there will be local elections for 10 District Councils, 5 Municipal Corporations, 14 Municipal Committees, 12 Town Committees and 278 Union Councils in Azad Kashmir.
He said that the Election Commission is determined to hold local body elections in Azad Kashmir after three and a half years, all citizens should exercise their right to vote without fear and do not pay attention to those spreading negative propaganda. He said that the Election Commission is determined and optimistic to conduct local body elections in any case.