MUZAFFARABAD: The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has scheduled general elections for July 27, 2026, issuing the complete polling timetable for the legislative assembly.
Polling for all constituencies will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a notification from the commission.
Candidates may file nomination papers with returning officers from June 9 through June 19. Scrutiny of papers and the release of the preliminary list of accepted candidates are set for June 20.
Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nominations can be filed with the commission from June 21 to June 24. Hearings will be held June 26-27, with decisions issued between June 28 and June 29.
The deadline for withdrawal of nominations is June 30. A list of contesting candidates will be published July 1, and election symbols will be allotted July 2. The final list of candidates with symbols is also due July 2.
The commission said the notification takes effect immediately and that all election arrangements will be completed according to the schedule.
Separately, the AJK Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution retaining 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The resolution described refugee representation as a historical and constitutional reality and said any necessary reforms to remove electoral complications and make the system acceptable to political parties could be implemented through the assembly.
The resolution added that constitutional reforms are the exclusive authority of elected representatives and that the matter should be left to the Legislative Assembly. It also called for consultations with political parties, bar associations, the bar council, civil society and constitutional experts.
