Polling Begins Amid Unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir
Polling Commences in PoK
Srinagar: On Monday, July 27, the first phase of voting has commenced in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), amidst ongoing unrest. The polling is taking place across three districts in the Mirpur Division: Mirpur, Bhimber, and Kotli. Voters are casting their ballots in 13 constituencies at 2,316 polling stations, with the process set to continue until 5:00 PM today. The final phase of polling is scheduled for August 10. Additionally, voting for the remaining phases will occur in nine constituencies of the Muzaffarabad Division and all 12 refugee constituencies on August 2, followed by 11 constituencies in the Poonch Division on August 10. A total of 1,444,437 registered voters, comprising 724,811 men and 675,626 women, are eligible to participate. Authorities have implemented extensive security measures, including the deployment of the Pakistan Army throughout the division to ensure law and order amid the ongoing protests.
Security Measures in Place
Pakistan Prepares for Potential Violence
In light of the unrest, approximately 14,000 police officers have been dispatched to Pakistan's Punjab province to maintain order during the elections. A government official indicated that 30% of these personnel are armed, while the remaining 70% are equipped with anti-riot gear to manage any disturbances.
Calls for Boycott and Protests
JAAC Advocates for Protest March
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been leading protests over governance and economic issues, has called for a "Muzaffarabad Chalo" march coinciding with the polling day. The organization is urging residents of the Motipur Division to join the protest and has also requested a boycott of the elections. With a significant presence of security forces and ongoing political mobilization outside polling stations, the election process is under close scrutiny. Protests in PoK have escalated, with reports of a crackdown by Pakistani authorities resulting in civilian casualties. Earlier this month, the Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO), an independent body in PoK, released a report detailing recent human rights violations by Pakistani forces. The report, accessed by media sources, highlighted a deteriorating human rights situation in PoK, indicating that the crisis has evolved beyond mere law enforcement issues into a serious humanitarian emergency.
Human Rights Concerns
MEA Comments on PoK Protests
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on July 14 that the ongoing protests in PoK stem from Islamabad’s "decades-long systematic exploitation" and the "denial of fundamental rights" to its citizens. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized Pakistan for its illegal occupation of PoK and condemned its actions against the local populace. The MEA emphasized that the protests are a direct result of Pakistan's long-standing exploitation and administrative failures in the region. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the local population, the Pakistani government has resorted to excessive police violence. The MEA expressed hope that the international community would hold Pakistan accountable for these serious abuses and misdeeds.