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Problem Background:

So far I am the sole owner of a GitHub repo. I committed the code from my system to a branch called release (actually its a tag based on develop branch, if that matters). In GitHub, I created a pull request where base branch is master and compare branch is release.

But I am only allowed to comment on review, not allowed to approve. What may be the reason?

Note: There is no merge conflicts and while creating the pull request the green signal of merging possible was displayed.

Here is how the master branch is protected by me:

Answers

If you were the one who has committed the pull request you cannot approve or request changes on this pull request. It's only available when someone else requested such action.

So your only option is to comment it.