PTI Questions Credibility of AJK Elections, Cites Low Voter Turnout
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that the low voter turnout in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections reflects a lack of public confidence in the electoral process, stating that large numbers of people chose to take to the streets for their rights instead of participating in the polls.
In its reaction to the AJK elections, PTI said that polling stations witnessed minimal voter participation and alleged that the ruling political parties have lost the trust of the public.
The party reiterated that it had already announced a boycott of the AJK elections, maintaining that free, fair, and transparent polls were not possible under the prevailing circumstances.
PTI stated that the absence of what it described as the country’s largest popular political party from the electoral contest has raised serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process. It further alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are engaged in political power-sharing arrangements.
According to the party, elections cannot strengthen democracy without public trust, transparency, and genuine political representation. PTI argued that the results of such elections cannot be regarded as a true reflection of the people’s mandate.
The party also claimed that the people of Azad Kashmir have conveyed a clear message through what it described as weak electoral participation and public protests.
PTI called for the provision of equal opportunities for all political parties and an independent electoral environment, stating that these are essential prerequisites for the strengthening of genuine democracy.
The statements represent PTI’s position on the electoral process and have not been independently verified.
