Bagh and Haveli Polling Set for Monday in AJK Elections as Rawalakot Awaiting Sit‑In Resolution.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission announced that polling in the Bagh and Haveli constituencies will take place on Monday, the eighth of August, amid heightened security measures. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the decision to hold Bagh and Haveli first was driven by security concerns. Security officers are already deployed in the two districts and election material is being transported under the supervision of the armed forces. At each highly sensitive polling station, up to eight security personnel will be stationed. The commission also plans to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10 to aid polling‑related communications. Mughal stated that, if the sit‑in protest in Rawalakot is resolved within a few days, elections there could be held on August 20 or 21. He said the commission would announce the polling date for the seven constituencies in Rawalakot and Sudhnoti within the next seven days. The commissioner told reporters that voter turnout in Bagh and Haveli was expected to exceed 60 percent. He declined to comment on allegations of rigging raised by political parties, saying that any irregularities would become clear after the election process concludes. In the final phase, the Commission will oversee the secure transport of polling material, the deployment of security personnel, and continuous communication on polling day. It urged candidates, polling agents and voters to cooperate with election staff to ensure a peaceful process.