KOTLI: Alleged irregularities in voter registration linked to NADRA have raised concerns ahead of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections 2026, after updated electoral rolls showed a decline in registered voters across several areas.
Local data indicates that Union Council Dhana in Khoi Ratta recorded 9,056 registered voters during the 2021 elections. In the ongoing registration process for the 2026 polls, the number has decreased by 2,144 voters, an unexpected drop in a period when voter rolls typically expand. Similar declines have been reported in other areas, including a reduction of 1,142 voters in Khoor, 565 in Sarhana, and additional decreases in Manjwal.
Discrepancies linked to data adjustments
According to sources familiar with the process, one of the primary factors behind the reduced numbers is the reassignment of certain localities (mauzas) from one electoral constituency to another during updates in voter records maintained by NADRA.
In some cases, votes from Union Council Dhana have reportedly been shifted to Union Council Dhanwan, creating inconsistencies in constituency-wise voter lists. While such adjustments can occur during administrative revisions, the scale of the reported changes has raised questions about the accuracy and transparency of the updated data.
Calls for review before elections
Residents and members of civil society have urged the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to take immediate notice of the issue and verify voter lists before polling begins.
They emphasized that timely correction of NADRA records is necessary to ensure that all eligible voters are included and that the electoral process remains transparent and credible. No detailed official response has yet been issued regarding the reported discrepancies.
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