The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has officially released the schedule for the long-awaited polls on eight reserved seats, setting the stage for a critical shift in the region’s legislative balance. Voting is set to take place on December 1, ending months of political uncertainty that had stalled the selection process.
The seats, which represent women, technocrats, and religious scholars, have remained vacant since the general elections, leaving the legislative assembly operating below its full strength. The vacancy has been a recurring point of contention between the treasury and opposition benches, with both sides trading accusations over the delay in the electoral timeline.
Nomination papers for the candidates are due by November 20. The commission will conduct a scrutiny process the following day, with a final list of candidates expected to be published shortly thereafter.
For the ruling party, filling these seats is vital to securing a more stable majority in the house. For the opposition, the polls are a chance to challenge the government’s legislative agenda, which has faced significant hurdles without a fully constituted assembly.
“We are moving forward to ensure the constitutional requirement is met,” a commission spokesperson said, noting that all security arrangements for the polling day are currently being finalized.
The process will be conducted through proportional representation within the assembly, meaning the seats will be allocated based on the strength of political parties currently holding office. With the schedule now public, the focus shifts to internal party negotiations, as lawmakers scramble to finalize their lists of nominees before the deadline.
The outcome will finally bring the AJK assembly to its full capacity, ending a period of parliamentary paralysis that has hindered the passage of key regional legislation. Whether this restores order or fuels fresh friction remains the central question as the December 1 polling date approaches.
