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AJK bye-polls

set for 24th

MUZAFFARABAD: Sardar Muhammad Ashraf Khan, Chief Election Commissioner of AJK has said necessary arrangements have been finalized to conduct bye-election scheduled to be held in Abbaspur on August 24. He was addressing the press conference here on Monday.

Sardar Ashraf said over all 44746 registered voters would exercise right of franchise for which 48 polling stations were set up throughout the constituency.

He said maximum number of votes could be polled if law and order condition remained normal.

The Chief Election Commissioner said maintenance of law and order was the sole responsibility of administration and he had given certain suggestions in this regard to government to keep normality during polling.

He stated that he was constitutionally bound to hold elections on vacant seats within 60 days although prevalent situation along the LOC demanded them to be postponed for sometimes.

He said polling stations had been set up at safe places as most of the areas in Abbaspur were contiguous to LOC and within Indian firing range. Sardar Ashraf said voters lists of JK nationals living in Pakistan and AJK will be prepared anew which would be publicised on January 15, 1996. He praised AJK Government for providing funds to prepare new lists of voters and full cooperation in this behalf.-APP