MUZAFFARABAD: Polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I has been rescheduled to August 4 after heavy rainfall and landslides disrupted access to polling stations, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner announced on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference, the chief election commissioner said overnight heavy rain triggered landslides and uprooted trees, blocking roads and preventing election staff and polling materials from reaching the constituency.

He said the Election Commission postponed polling in accordance with the law to ensure a smooth, transparent and orderly electoral process.

The chief election commissioner urged voters to exercise their democratic right, saying meaningful political change could only be achieved through the ballot.

“Voting is both a democratic and Islamic responsibility, and citizens should fulfil this duty,” he said, adding that violence could never be a means of bringing democratic change.

He confirmed that polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I would now be held on August 4, while voting in all other constituencies was continuing as scheduled.

The chief election commissioner said the Election Commission was responding promptly to every complaint and would perform its responsibilities strictly in accordance with the law without coming under any pressure.

He added that comprehensive security arrangements had been made at sensitive polling stations across Azad Jammu and Kashmir and expressed confidence that the elections would witness a strong voter turnout.