Summary The reserved seats comprise five for women, one for ulema and religious scholars, one for overseas AJK residents, and one for technocrats and other experts
MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) - The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission has announced the schedule for elections to eight reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, formally initiating the fourth phase of the electoral process.
The reserved seats comprise five for women, one for ulema and religious scholars, one for overseas AJK residents, and one for technocrats and other experts.
According to the schedule, candidates will submit their nomination papers on August 20. The scrutiny of nomination papers and publication of the candidates’ list will also take place the same day.
Appeals against the nominations can be filed on August 21, while hearings and decisions on the appeals will be completed on August 22.
Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations on August 23, after which the final list of candidates will be issued.
Polling for the reserved seats will be held on August 24 from 10am to 1pm in the Assembly Hall.
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The eight reserved seats are not filled through direct public voting but are elected by members of the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Under electoral rules, polling is held if the number of candidates exceeds the number of available seats.
Candidates may be declared elected unopposed if their number is equal to or less than the seats available.
The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary party in the general elections with 25 seats, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 12.
According to sources, the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker are expected to be elected on August 25, while the election for the new AJK prime minister is likely to take place on August 27.
Meanwhile, the PML-N is expected to secure four of the five women’s reserved seats, while the PPP is likely to receive one.
The PML-N is also expected to secure the reserved seats for ulema, technocrats and overseas AJK residents.
If the expected allocation is confirmed, the PML-N will secure seven of the eight reserved seats, taking its total strength to 32, while the PPP will have 13 seats in the 45-member Assembly.
