Muzaffarabad: The electoral process in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has run into fresh uncertainty, with polling reportedly deferred indefinitely on seven of the 11 seats in the Poonch division amid continuing tensions and protests in the region.
The development comes against the backdrop of weeks of unrest led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), with Poonch and Sudhnoti emerging as key centres of the agitation. Earlier, the Election Commission had already split the 2026 Assembly election into three phases because of security concerns arising from the unrest.
Only Four Poonch-Division Seats to Vote on August 10
Under the reported revised arrangement, polling on August 10 would be limited to four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli, while seven constituencies covering the Poonch and Sudhnoti areas have been put on hold.
The seven affected seats include constituencies in:
- Abbaspur
- Hajira
- Ali Sojhal
- Rawalakot
- Pachhiot
- Palandri
- Baloch
The postponement is particularly significant because Poonch division has been one of the principal centres of the ongoing agitation. Earlier reporting confirmed that protests and sit-ins had continued across Rawalakot, Sudhnoti and other parts of the division.
Sardar Aman Khan’s Role
JAAC leader Sardar Aman Khan, who is associated with Sudhnoti, has been one of the prominent voices in the movement. He had also publicly questioned the credibility of the election process, saying that the elections could not be considered free and fair under the prevailing circumstances.
However, the claim that the Election Commission postponed the seven seats specifically because of an ultimatum issued by Aman Khan should be treated cautiously unless confirmed by an official Election Commission notification.
Election Already Split Into Three Phases
The original election schedule had called for polling on July 27. The Election Commission subsequently divided voting into three phases:
July 27: Mirpur Division – 13 seats
August 2: Muzaffarabad Division and refugee constituencies
August 10: Poonch Division – 11 seats
The Election Commission cited security concerns linked to the unrest for the revised schedule.
Protests Cast Shadow Over Poll Process
The election has been taking place against a highly charged political backdrop. The JAAC has opposed aspects of the electoral system and has called for changes to the representation structure, while its leadership has questioned the credibility of the elections.
The movement has also faced a government crackdown, with the organisation being proscribed and some individuals associated with it prevented from contesting.
The situation has raised questions over whether Pakistan-administered Kashmir can conduct a full electoral exercise while significant parts of the territory remain affected by political unrest.
A Major Setback for Islamabad?
The reported postponement of seven seats would represent another disruption to the electoral process in PoJK and underline the difficulty faced by Islamabad and the local administration in conducting elections amid continuing unrest.
For now, the exact legal status and revised polling dates for the seven constituencies should be confirmed through a formal notification from the AJK Election Commission before being described as a permanent or final postponement.