July 25, 2021: Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday said that today Kashmiris, in all constituencies of AJK, will support Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of a new Kashmir.

In a tweet on Sunday, Chaudhry said that the 2021 elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are expected to fulfill the dreams of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ & K). He said that on this day, he hoped that the people of Kashmir would freely express their views and form a government with their representatives.

Residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) today went to the polls to elect new members of the region’s Legislative Assembly. The number of registered voters of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is 32,50,117 including 17,8,800 men and 14,68,317 women.

There are 33 constituencies in ten districts of Azad Kashmir. While 12 constituencies are reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan. Polling stands have been set up for refugees in all provinces.

A total of 691 candidates, including 381 from 32 registered political parties and 310 independents, are vying for 45 seats. In Azad Kashmir, 587 candidates are contesting in 33 constituencies while 121 candidates are contesting in 12 constituencies.

A total of 24 women candidates are contesting the elections. The PML-N and PTI fielded one or two women candidates while the Muslim Conference fielded one woman.

A total of about 43,500 Army personnel from Azad Kashmir Police, Civil Armed Forces and other provinces will be deployed to maintain law and order in the AJK elections, while the Army will be deployed under the Quick Reaction Force.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz on Sunday also claimed that the PTI would win the AJK elections.