3 weeks ago
Pakistan postpones third phase of PoK elections amid ongoing unrest
People in a faraway place called Kashmir were supposed to vote for their local leaders.
The voting was going to happen in three rounds, but the last round was stopped in two districts.
The government said it was postponed because of safety worries and protests.
Many people were upset about seats in the local assembly that were kept for people who moved from the Indian side of Kashmir.
A protest group called JAAC led the demonstrations, and Pakistan's government banned the group.
The group says many protesters were hurt or killed, but we only know what the group claims.
India says this voting should not happen at all because it says the area belongs to India.
A big political party called PML-N won most of the seats in the first round.
Internet in the region was also restricted, which some people say affected voting.
No one knows yet when the last round of voting will happen.
Pakistan postponed the third phase of PoK legislative elections in Poonch and Palandri districts, originally set for August 10, citing security concerns.
The first two phases, held on July 27 and August 2, were marred by violent protests over demands to scrap 12 seats reserved for migrants from Indian-administered Kashmir.
India rejected the exercise; MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the polls an attempt to 'camouflage' Pakistan's 'illegal occupation' and hide human rights violations.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which led the protest movement, was later banned by Pakistan under anti-terrorism laws.
JAAC claimed more than 40 people were killed in the first phase and around 400 protesters since early June; preliminary results showed PML-N winning nine of 13 seats, and NetBlocks reported internet restrictions.
- Who
- Pakistan's election commission, the Government of Pakistan, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), and India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- What
- Third phase of PoK legislative elections postponed in Poonch and Palandri districts
- Where
- Poonch and Palandri districts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
- When
- Originally scheduled for August 10; first two phases were held on July 27 and August 2
- Why
- Security concerns amid violent protests over demands to scrap 12 seats reserved for migrants from Indian-administered Kashmir
Critics of Pakistan's handling (India, JAAC)
Pakistan's government
Legitimacy of the electoral exercise
Critics of Pakistan's handling (India, JAAC)
India called the polls a 'cosmetic electoral exercise' aimed at camouflaging Pakistan's 'illegal occupation' of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and hiding human rights violations in the region.
Pakistan's government
Pakistan proceeded with the scheduled elections; preliminary results showed PML-N winning nine of 13 seats in the first phase.
Protest movement and casualties
Critics of Pakistan's handling (India, JAAC)
JAAC claims more than 40 people were killed during the first phase of polling on July 27 and around 400 protesters since the first week of June.
Pakistan's government
Pakistan banned JAAC under anti-terrorism laws, but the articles give no official Pakistani response to the casualty claims.
Restrictions on international media
Critics of Pakistan's handling (India, JAAC)
Foreign coverage of protests and elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir prompted new rules, which critics view as suppressing reporting; NetBlocks also reported internet restrictions.
Pakistan's government
Pakistan directed international media organisations to seek permission before reporting outside major cities, and officials did not confirm whether the unrest prompted the guidelines.
Key facts
- Districts affected
- Poonch and Palandri
- Original voting date
- August 10
- Third phase seats
- 7 of 11
- First two phases
- July 27 and August 2
- PML-N result in first phase
- Won 9 of 13 seats (preliminary)
- Contested reserved seats
- 12 seats for migrants from Indian-administered Kashmir
- JAAC casualty claims
- 40+ killed in first phase; ~400 protesters killed since first week of June
- Action against JAAC
- Banned by Pakistan under anti-terrorism laws
Quotes
Election Commission of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
Official statement from the PoK election commission
“"The current cosmetic electoral exercise is nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and hide its grave human rights violations in the region. As we have stated earlier, the ongoing mass protest in PoJK, of which you are aware, is the direct consequence of economic exploitation, its denial of fundamental rights to the people and its administrative operations."”
wionews.com
“"A new date and revised schedule will be announced after reviewing the situation."”
wionews.com
Sources
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