Electoral Imbalance in the AJK Assembly — Time to Restore
Democratic Equality.
A Formula for Equal Representation in the Azad Jammu and
Kashmir Assembly — A Fair Solution for Refugee Constituencies.
By Sardar Aftab Khan
In the part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir where
democratic aspirations run deep, the current structure of the Azad Jammu and
Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly reveals a troubling imbalance. The
constituencies reserved for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir residing in
Pakistan, although historically significant, now result in members of the
Assembly wielding disproportionate legislative and governing power compared to
those elected from AJK’s resident population. This imbalance calls for urgent
electoral reform.
A Data-Driven Inequality
The basic principle of democracy is simple: every vote
should carry equal value and weight. But the current electoral system and
constituency allocations for the AJK Assembly do not fully reflect this
principle.
In the AJK Assembly, 12 seats are reserved
for refugees residing in Pakistan — 6 for refugees from the Kashmir Valley
living in Pakistan, and 6 for displaced persons from Jammu and those affected
by the Mangla Dam project. These 12 seats represent a combined total of 405,034
registered voters. In contrast, 33 seats are allocated to 2,950,129 residents
of AJK.
The numbers reveal a stark imbalance:
·
Each MLA from the Kashmir Valley refugee
constituencies represents approximately 5,044 voters.
·
Each MLA from the Jammu/Mangla category
represents approximately 62,461 voters.
·
Each MLA from the resident AJK constituencies
represents approximately 89,397 voters.
This means that MLAs from the Kashmir Valley refugee
constituencies hold 1,672% more representational weight, and MLAs from
the Jammu/Mangla category hold 43% more weight than their AJK-resident
counterparts. This is not merely about numbers — it is a fundamental flaw and
structural distortion in the Assembly that seriously undermines the democratic
principle of equal representation.
The figures make clear that refugee constituencies —
especially those for Kashmir Valley residents — represent far fewer voters per
seat. By contrast, resident constituencies in AJK represent many times more
voters per seat. The result is that some votes carry far more weight than
others. This is not about pitting one community against another, but about
ensuring fairness, transparency, and public trust.
Constitutional Principles and Governance Strain
The principle of “one person, one vote” is the
foundation of representative democracy. When some legislators represent 17
times fewer voters than others, the system fails to uphold that principle. Such
inequities dilute the voice of the majority and disproportionately amplify the
influence of a minority, distorting the legislative and governance environment.
Moreover, the governance burden on AJK’s resident MLAs is
immense. Representing nearly 90,000 constituents each, they face major
challenges in accountability, service delivery, and policy advocacy. Meanwhile,
refugee MLAs — representing far smaller populations — can wield
disproportionate influence over legislation and resource allocation.
This imbalance risks undermining public trust, increasing
social tension, and weakening the Assembly’s legitimacy. This is why the Jammu
Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has included in its charter of
demands the complete abolition of seats reserved for refugees residing in
Pakistan — a move that has brought the issue to wide public attention and
prompted legislators, legal experts, political leaders, and the general public
to offer their views and proposals.
To provide a dignified and workable solution through
meaningful dialogue, I present the following formula.
A Fair Formula for Reforming Refugee Constituency
Allocations
To restore democratic balance, a proportional representation
model must be adopted. A clear and fair formula should be incorporated into the
law as follows:
Seat Allocation Formula:
J&K Refugees Seats = (Refugee Registered Voters ÷ AJK
Registered Voters) x 45
Key Steps:
1.
All categories — residents and refugees —
must be allocated seats based on the same criterion: number of registered
voters.
2.
Seat distribution should be calculated using
the Largest Remainder (Hamilton) method, a fair apportionment process used
internationally.
3.
To protect refugee representation, guarantee
a minimum of five seats until the 2026 general elections, after which the
strict proportional formula should apply.
4.
The Delimitation Commission must be legally
bound to publish voter statistics, seat calculations, maps, and justifications,
and to allow a 30-day public objection period.
The Numbers in Practice (2022 AJK Election Commission
Data):
AJK Resident Voters: 2,950,129
Refugee Voters: 405,034
Total seats: 45
Under the formula, refugees would be entitled to approximately 5 seats, and residents to about 40 seats.
Why Amend the AJK Elections Act?
Amendments are needed to:
Section 2 — clarify definitions.
Section 9 — link seat allocation directly to the proportion
of registered voters.
Section 16 — make it a legal duty for the Commission to
apply the formula.
Section 17 — insert the seat allocation formula.
Dialogue is the Only Way Forward
This is not about taking representation away from anyone —
it is about ensuring every vote counts equally. Refugee communities must be
reassured their voice will remain strong; AJK residents must be confident their
votes are equally valued; and policymakers must understand that this reform
strengthens the Assembly’s legitimacy.
Let us work together to establish a system that is fair,
transparent, and equal — so that the voices of voters from the mountains of
Muzaffarabad and Poonch, the plains of Mirpur and Bhimber, and the Kashmiri
refugee communities of Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Karachi, and Quetta are all
heard equally.
True democracy is measured not just by the right to vote,
but by the weight that the vote carries. AJK must recalibrate its electoral
structure to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
The time for reform is now — not only to correct a numerical
imbalance, but to reinforce the democratic integrity of the Assembly.
About the Author: Sardar Aftab Khan is a
constitutional and local governance policy and implementation specialist, as
well as a community development professional, with over 35 years of experience
working with international agencies, government bodies, development organisations,
and the private sector in AJK, Pakistan, the USA, and the UK. He can be reached
at Aftab@kdfuk.org
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