PoK polls hit by chaos, protests as disruptions cast shadow on credibility

New Delhi: The second phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was marked by chaos, administrative failures and widespread protests, bringing the legitimacy of the exercise under scanner.

As locals, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), protested the holding of elections on Sunday, polling was disrupted across several constituencies due to road blockades, with election officials and polling materials failing to reach numerous polling stations, according to persons familiar with the developments.

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Due to the election staff and polling materials reportedly failing to reach several polling stations, authorities were compelled to postpone voting in some areas.

Polling was scheduled across 21 constituencies, including nine in the Muzaffarabad Division of PoK and 12 refugee constituencies located in different parts of Pakistan. Polling disruptions were also reported in Muzaffarabad, where election officials and polling materials could not reach 71 polling stations.

Several areas in PoK witnessed protests on Sunday, leading to detentions and reports of firing by security forces in Rawalakot, according to persons familiar with the developments. Protests were also held by Kashmiri communities in different cities across Pakistan. Protests were also reported on Sunday from Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where demonstrators criticised the elections in PoK and demanded political reforms.

The disruptions prompted opposition groups and protest organisations to question the credibility of the elections. Critics argued that an election in which polling personnel and materials could not reach numerous polling stations reflected serious administrative lapses.

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Demonstrations continued throughout the day across PoK on Sunday. Reports from Rawalakot suggested intermittent firing by security forces during the protests. Protest groups also claimed that many voters stayed away from polling stations as a mark of protest.

The second phase of the elections was conducted against the backdrop of months of political unrest and demonstrations in PoK.