Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Justice (Retd.) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, on Friday firmly dismissed any possibility of a delay in the July 27, 2026 General Elections, affirming that polling will take place in all constituencies as scheduled under stringent security arrangements.
Preparations Completed and Security Plans
The CEC stated that all necessary arrangements for the upcoming elections have been completed. He assured that there would be no delays in any constituency during the polling process and that all preparations have been made to ensure smooth and efficient conduct of the elections. He further emphasized that the electoral process would be conducted in accordance with the law and the Constitution. According to him, if the situation requires the deployment of the armed forces, the relevant authorities will take necessary steps to ensure their presence for maintaining security and order. The Punjab Police, along with all other security forces, will perform their duties to facilitate peaceful elections. A comprehensive security plan has been devised to provide voters with a safe, secure, and protected environment so they can exercise their right to vote without any concerns.
Voter Turnout Optimism
Responding to a question regarding the expected voter turnout, the CEC said it would not be appropriate to make an estimate before the completion of the polling process. However, he expressed optimism that the turnout would remain encouraging and reflect public participation in the electoral process.
Commitment to Transparent Elections
CEC AJK reiterated the commitment of the authorities to ensuring a transparent, peaceful, and well-managed election process. He added that all institutions involved would work together to uphold law and order and provide maximum support to voters and election staff throughout the polling period. He stated that the Election Commission, with full cooperation of the government, is making continuous efforts to ensure the smooth and transparent conduct of elections. He reaffirmed the commitment to use all available resources to complete the electoral process in accordance with constitutional obligations and the announced schedule.
