AJK Elections to Be Held in Three Phases Amid Ongoing JAAC Sit-ins

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission has announced that the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections will be held in three phases, citing security and administrative considerations, a decision that has prompted criticism from sections of civil society and political observers who argue that the prevailing unrest could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd.) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the revised schedule was finalised after consultations with major political parties and in view of the security situation. Under the revised programme, polling will be held in Mirpur Division on July 27, Muzaffarabad Division and all 12 refugee constituencies on August 2, and Poonch Division on August 10. The elections were originally scheduled to be conducted across the territory on a single day.

The announcement comes as the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) continues sit-ins at several locations across Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir despite temporarily postponing its planned long march to Muzaffarabad following negotiations with the government. JAAC has said the sit-ins will continue while awaiting implementation of its demands and has warned that protests could intensify if negotiations fail.

The ongoing protest movement has centred on governance issues, implementation of previous agreements and, most prominently, opposition to the 12 reserved Legislative Assembly seats allocated to refugees residing in Pakistan. JAAC argues that the arrangement dilutes the political representation of residents of Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir and could influence the outcome of the elections.

Following the Election Commission’s decision, several civil society activists, lawyers and political commentators questioned whether elections could be considered genuinely free and fair while large parts of the territory remain affected by prolonged sit-ins, heavy security deployment and political tensions. Critics have argued that restoring normal civic life, guaranteeing freedom of movement and ensuring an equal campaigning environment should take precedence before polling takes place.

Some observers have also criticised the decision to split polling into three phases, saying staggered elections could create concerns over administrative neutrality and voter confidence, although the Election Commission has maintained that the revised schedule is intended solely to facilitate security arrangements and the deployment of election personnel.

The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to conducting peaceful, transparent and impartial elections, stating that all necessary arrangements will be made to ensure voters can exercise their democratic rights safely.

The election schedule comes against the backdrop of weeks of unrest in Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir. Clashes between security forces and protesters have resulted in dozens of casualties, while authorities have imposed security restrictions in several districts. The unrest has drawn concern from human rights organisations and prompted renewed calls from political parties and civil society for dialogue and de-escalation ahead of the elections.