Under pressure from the government, the Election Commission changed the dates, now voting in POJK will be held in three phases from July 27.

Concerns regarding political disputes and human rights have deepened before the assembly elections in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), considered an integral part of India. The United Nations (UN) had expressed concern about deaths, arrests, internet shutdown and restrictions imposed on peaceful demonstrations before the elections. Meanwhile, Pakistan has decided to change the schedule of simultaneous voting on July 27 and hold the elections in three phases.

Under pressure from the Pakistan government, the Election Commission says that this decision has been taken keeping in mind the security arrangements and the demands of political parties, but the opposition parties and protesting organizations are looking at it with suspicion.

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Why was the election schedule changed?

Earlier, voting on all the seats of PoJK was to be held on July 27, but now elections will be held in three phases. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, this change has been made to ensure better deployment of security forces. The Chief Election Commissioner said that this decision has been taken after consultation with political parties so that voting can be conducted peacefully and all preparations are completed on time. But some political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have opposed this change and have demanded elections to be held on the same day as per the previously announced schedule.

On which issues did the UN express concern?

The United Nations has expressed concern over deaths, detentions, internet shutdowns and restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly in PoJK ahead of the elections. Besides, the need to ensure human rights, transparency and accountability in the electoral process has also been emphasized.

JAAC raised questions on electoral system

Meanwhile, Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and other critics have also raised questions on the electoral system. He says the 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees living in Pakistan give Islamabad disproportionate influence in PoJK politics. However, the Government of Pakistan and the judiciary of PoJK have rejected the demand to abolish these seats, calling this system constitutional.

Why is this election important from India’s point of view?

India has been continuously saying that Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is an integral and inseparable part of India, which is under illegal occupation by Pakistan. India has earlier also rejected the elections and administrative changes conducted by Pakistan in PoJK and does not give them any legal validity.

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