Two PTI workers killed in election violence
MUZAFFARABAD
Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), Justice (retd) Abdul Rashid Sulehria has expressed full satisfaction over holding of general elections process in the liberated territory in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
Talking to media persons during his visit to various polling stations in Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur districts, Abdul Rashid Sulehria expressed the hope that the overall turnout of the voting might be over 56 percent. “People should come out and go to polling stations”, he added.
The chief election commissioner said that although there are reports about occurrence of some unpleasant incidents, the overall polling process remained peaceful under the due foolproof security arrangements.
He underlined that several violations of the electoral code of conduct were committed, which were subsequently being dealt with in accordance with the law. Sulehria further stated that unpleasant incidents were common occurrences during elections.
According to the commissioner, political parties and candidates have lodged several complaints. He clarified that no extra time will be given to any polling station.
To a question, the chief election commissioner said that the presiding officers would be bound to provide the copies of the unofficial results to the polling agents of the contesting political parties and the independent candidates soon after completion of the counting process.
Meanwhile, at least two people were killed and several got injured in an armed clash between the activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at a polling station in Kotli district. The deceased were said to be PTI workers.
Clashes between the rival parties were also reported from several polling stations in the capital Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bagh, and Rawlakot districts, suspending the voting for hours.
Footage aired on local broadcasters showed charged activists exchanging blows, kicks, and sticks against each other.
Sulehria told reporters that army troops have been sent to the violence-hit areas to restore law and order.
Opposition parties, mainly the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), accused the Election Commission and the administration of not taking action against “rigging” in PTI’s favour. The PTI denied the charge and itself accused the opposition parties of attacking its workers and polling agents.
