The arrival of a fleet of green electric buses promised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders for Muzaffarabad has sparked a fresh po...
The arrival of a fleet of green electric buses promised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders for Muzaffarabad has sparked a fresh political and legal debate just days before the first phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections, with the AJK Election Commission warning that no new development schemes, financial packages or government resources can be introduced or used during the election period in violation of the code of conduct.
The controversy follows recent election rallies addressed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during which they unveiled a series of development initiatives for AJK, including the provision of 10 green electric buses each for Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, along with several other public welfare projects. Shortly after the announcements, the first fleet of ten electric buses reached Muzaffarabad, drawing attention from political observers and raising questions over whether the move is compatible with election laws governing the campaign period.
Without referring to any specific project, an Election Commission spokesperson reiterated on Saturday that the announcement of any new development scheme, financial package or public welfare initiative by the federal or provincial governments during the election period constitutes a violation of the election code of conduct.
قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نواز شریف کا آزاد جموں و کشمیر سے کیا وعدہ پورا۔
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز کی طرف سے جدید ترین 10 الیکٹرو بسوں کا تحفہ آزاد کشمیر پہنچ گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/WcbcdxRgjZ
— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 25, 2026
The spokesperson said the commission is legally empowered to confiscate any vehicles, equipment or other government-funded facilities dispatched during the election campaign and initiate proceedings against those responsible if the law is breached.
The commission further clarified that although federal and provincial ministers are free to campaign for their respective political parties, they are barred from using official vehicles, state protocol, public funds, government employees or any state machinery for electioneering.
Read: Nawaz pledges airport, hospitals for Mirpur ahead of AJK elections
Calling upon all political parties and candidates to strictly observe the code of conduct, the spokesperson said compliance with election laws was essential to ensuring that the upcoming polls remain free, fair, transparent and impartial.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said all administrative, logistical and security arrangements for the 2026 AJK general elections had been completed and that every effort was being made to ensure peaceful polling across the territory.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Mirpur on Saturday to review preparations for the first phase of polling, Justice Mughal expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and directed all civil and security institutions to work in close coordination to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
He instructed authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards any lapse in polling station security and emphasised the need for prompt action against rumours and misinformation that could affect the integrity of the elections.
Responding to criticism over the Election Commission's decision to conduct polling in phases, the chief election commissioner rejected suggestions that results from one division could influence voting patterns elsewhere.
"The people of AJK are politically conscious and fully capable of exercising their democratic right independently," he said.
Mirpur Division Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan informed the meeting that all election-related arrangements had been finalised in the division's three districts. He said Mirpur Division has 1,400,437 registered voters, comprising 724,811 male and 675,626 female voters.
A total of 2,316 polling stations have been established, including 1,241 categorised as highly sensitive, 724 as sensitive and 351 as normal, reflecting the extensive security planning undertaken for polling day.
The commissioner said 288 candidates are contesting elections in the division's 13 constituencies, with LA-3 Mirpur City witnessing the largest electoral contest, where 34 candidates are in the field.
He added that 13 monitoring zones and 205 sectors have been created to supervise polling operations, while arrangements for election staff, transportation, polling materials and contingency planning have all been completed.
Also Read: Maryam Nawaz hits out at PPP as PML-N launches AJK election campaign
Briefing the meeting on the security plan, Mirpur Division DIG Kamran Ali said 18,560 security personnel, drawn from the police, Civil Armed Forces and Pakistan Army, would be deployed across the division.
The deployment includes 5,536 personnel in Mirpur district, 4,504 in Bhimber and 8,520 in Kotli.
He said a comprehensive three-tier security strategy had been put in place under which the police would provide the first layer of security, the Civil Armed Forces the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed to reinforce security and ensure that polling is conducted in a peaceful, secure and orderly environment.
The first phase of the AJK general elections will be held in Mirpur Division on July 27, with the remaining phases scheduled in Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions under the revised election timetable announced by the Election Commission.
from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/G17Ckeh
No comments