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Polling began on Monday in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with voters casting ballots across 13 constituencies in the Mirpur Division amid extensive security arrangements and isolated incidents of violence.
Polling opened at 8:00 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 5:00 p.m. A total of 296 candidates, including representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz (PML, N), Istehkam, e, Pakistan Party (IPP), and independent candidates, are contesting seats in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber.
According to election officials, 1,401,439 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the first phase. The electorate comprises 725,118 men and 675,628 women. Authorities have established 2,454 polling stations across the three districts, including 597 in Mirpur, 1,107 in Kotli, and 608 in Bhimber.
Officials said comprehensive security measures had been put in place to ensure a peaceful voting process. AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt polling.
Separately, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan stated that all state institutions were fully prepared to facilitate peaceful elections. He said legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to interfere with the electoral process or disturb public order.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party criticized the Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz over its stance on the elections. PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman accused the PML, N of attempting to make the electoral process controversial due to concerns over its electoral prospects. She said the people of Kashmir were politically aware and capable of making their own decisions.
PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri said voters would determine the outcome through the ballot box and described the party’s election symbol as representing hope for the people of Mirpur.
In a video message alongside his sister Asifa Bhutto, Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, Zardari urged voters to participate in the elections, saying those who wanted Kashmir’s future to be determined by its own people should cast their ballots in favor of the PPP’s candidates.
Separately, senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan alleged federal interference in the electoral process and called for free, fair, and transparent elections. He urged the federal government to refrain from using official resources to influence the polls.
Voting was briefly disrupted in the LA, 6 Bhimber constituency after clashes erupted between supporters of two political parties at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station.
PML, N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that workers of a rival party initiated the confrontation and further claimed that IPP supporters caused disturbances at Polling Station No. 95. According to Chaudhry, polling was temporarily suspended at both locations.
The District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed that unidentified individuals seized a ballot box during the incident and set it on fire. The ballot box reportedly contained 232 votes.
The DRO said election officials and security personnel were present at the scene and confirmed that legal proceedings would be initiated against those responsible. A decision on whether re, polling would be held at the affected polling station will be announced after further assessment.
The official added that voting continued normally at all other polling stations. He also confirmed receiving a complaint from former Prime Minister Anwarul Haq regarding the LA, 7 constituency and said he had personally inspected the polling stations concerned, where the complainant’s polling agents were present.
The allegations and political claims made by various parties have not been independently verified.
This is a developing story.
