Assembly elections have started in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) from July 27. These elections are being held at a time when the area has witnessed continuous protests and violence for the last two months. For this reason, the Pakistan government has increased security in the entire area. Elections will be conducted in three phases between July 27 and August 10. 14,000 additional policemen have been deployed from Punjab for security. Protest by local people continues regarding 12 refugee seats.
There are total 53 seats in PoK assembly. Of these, direct elections are held on 45 seats, while 8 seats are reserved for women, technocrats and religious leaders. According to the Election Commission, voting will be held on 13 seats of Mirpur division on July 27, 9 seats of Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee seats on August 2, while on August 10, voting will be held on 11 seats of Poonch division.
Why is there dispute on 12 seats?
The biggest controversy of this election is regarding 12 refugee seats. These seats are reserved for those who migrated from Jammu and Kashmir to the main part of Pakistan in 1947 and after. Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) alleges that the Pakistan government controls the politics and government of PoK through these seats. For this reason JAAC is demanding abolition of these 12 seats.
There were large-scale demonstrations in PoK for the last two months regarding this demand. The protests turned violent at many places, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people, including security personnel. After this, the Pakistan government declared JAAC a banned organization last month. These elections, which are being held amidst the anger of the local people, bloody conflict and political turmoil, are testimony to the repressive policies of Pakistan and the burning anger in PoK. Amid restrictions like Section 144 and heavy police deployment across the region, Islamabad is trying to maintain its political control over the region.
30% policemen armed with weapons
Pakistan has deployed 14,000 additional policemen from Punjab province to prevent any kind of violence during the elections. Of these, 30% policemen are armed with weapons, while 70% have been deployed with anti-riot equipment.
Political competition is also interesting. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which are together in the central government of Pakistan, are contesting elections against each other in PoK. At the same time, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has boycotted the elections citing the current situation and police action.
India’s stance is as clear as before
India says that the entire Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is its integral and inseparable part and Pakistan has illegally occupied some parts of it. India does not recognize these elections being conducted in PoK. New Delhi also says that the recent protests in PoK are the result of Pakistan’s long-running exploitation and administrative repression.
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