Total Seats in Azad Kashmir Assembly
The total number of seats in the AJK or Azad Kashmir assembly is 53. Out of a total of 53 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), there are a total of 45 seats in which General Elections are conducted.
Moreover, there are 8 reserved seats. Five seats are reserved for women and 3 seats are reserved, one for Ulema, One for technocrats, and one for overseas Azad Kashmiris.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly has a total of 53 seats. Of these seats, 45 are elected directly through general elections, and 8 seats are reserved for women and religious scholars.
The 8 reserved seats are allocated to women and religious scholars through a proportional representation system. The allocation of these seats is based on the results of the general election. The political party that wins the most directly elected seats is awarded a proportionate number of reserved seats based on the number of votes they received.
It’s important to note that the AJK Legislative Assembly has limited powers, as many key policy areas, including foreign affairs and defense, are under the control of the federal government of Pakistan.
Also Read: Neelum Azad Kashmir
Assembly of AJK Government
The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is composed of three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The executive branch is headed by the Prime Minister of AJK, who is appointed by the President of Pakistan. The Prime Minister leads the government and oversees the administration of the region. The Council of Ministers, also known as the cabinet, is responsible for advising the Prime Minister on policy matters and implementing government decisions.
The legislative branch is the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which has 53 members, including 45 directly elected members and 8 nominated members. The Legislative Assembly is responsible for passing laws and overseeing the government’s activities.
The judicial branch is headed by the High Court of AJK, which serves as the highest court in the region. The High Court is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that government actions comply with the law.
Overall, the government of AJK operates under a parliamentary system, similar to the government of Pakistan. The President of Pakistan serves as the constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister of AJK serves as the head of government.
Local Government Election in AJK
The local government system in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is divided into three tiers: the district level, the tehsil (sub-district) level, and the union council level. The local government elections in AJK are held separately from the general elections of the Legislative Assembly.
The last local government elections in AJK were held in 2022. The elections were held for all three tiers of the local government system, and over 35,000 candidates participated in the elections. The elections were held on a non-party basis, meaning candidates ran as independents rather than as representatives of political parties.
In the local government system of AJK, the union council level is the most basic unit of administration. Each union council is led by a nazim (mayor) and has several union council members. The tehsil level is headed by a tehsil council, while the district level is headed by a district council.
The local government system in AJK is responsible for a variety of functions, including local infrastructure development, education, health, and public services. The local government elections are an important opportunity for citizens to participate in the governance of their local communities and to elect representatives who can address their concerns at the grassroots level.