MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the leading party in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, winning seven of the 10 declared seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured three, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results released late Monday.
The vote count continued in the remaining constituencies across Mirpur Division, with election officials compiling final results through the night.
The first phase of the elections was held in 13 constituencies spanning Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts, where hundreds of thousands of voters cast their ballots amid tight security arrangements.
PML-N takes early lead
Among the constituencies declared so far, the PML-N established a commanding advantage by securing victories in seven seats.
In LA-12 Kotli-V, PML-N candidate Muhammad Riasat Khan defeated PPP’s Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, securing 35,168 votes against 30,320.
The party also won LA-11 Kotli-IV, where Muhammad Asif received 26,190 votes to overcome PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq, who polled 21,751 votes.
In LA-13 Kotli-VI, Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan defeated Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Nisar Ansar Abdali, securing 21,856 votes against 15,859.
PML-N also retained LA-1 Mirpur-I, where Azhar Sadiq received 15,427 votes, comfortably defeating PPP’s Muhammad Afser Shahid, who secured 9,832 votes.
In LA-4 Mirpur-IV, Rukhsar Ahmed emerged victorious with 20,172 votes against PPP candidate Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad, who received 13,865 votes.
The party also claimed LA-9 Kotli-II, where Umair Niazi secured 31,080 votes to defeat PPP’s Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, who received 28,509 votes.
Meanwhile, in LA-7 Bhimber-III, veteran PML-N leader Chaudhry Tariq Farooq defeated independent candidate Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, securing 35,490 votes against 25,100.
PPP bags three constituencies
The PPP secured victories in three constituencies announced during the counting process. In LA-2 Mirpur-II, Qasim Majeed won with 12,904 votes, defeating PML-N’s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry, who secured 8,182 votes.
The party also retained LA-8 Kotli-I, where Zafar Iqbal Malik defeated PML-N’s Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan by polling 19,535 votes against 11,966.
In LA-3 Mirpur-III, Chaudhry Yasir Sultan emerged victorious with 11,676 votes, defeating PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, who secured 9,832 votes.
Polling concludes amid tight security
Polling concluded at 6pm on Monday after the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission extended voting by one hour to facilitate voters.
A total of 296 candidates, representing the PML-N, PPP, IPP and independent groups, contested the first phase of the elections. Election officials said 1,401,439 registered voters, including 725,118 men and 675,628 women, were eligible to cast ballots.
To facilitate the exercise, authorities established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division, including 597 in Mirpur, 1,107 in Kotli and 608 in Bhimber.
AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal had warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said the elections reflected the public’s commitment to democracy and warned that action would be taken against anyone trying to disturb law and order.
One killed in polling station shooting
The elections were marred by a fatal shooting incident in LA-9 Kotli-II Nakyal, where one person was killed and three others were injured.
Deputy Inspector General Kamran Ali confirmed the casualty, while police suspended polling at the affected station following the incident.
PPP candidate Javed Budhanvi identified the deceased as Mukhtar Younis, a party worker, saying the body had been shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
PML-N says polling largely peaceful
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah maintained that the polling process remained largely peaceful despite isolated incidents.
He said only one major untoward incident had been reported, adding that polling arrangements were generally satisfactory across the region.
Sanaullah also noted that extremely hot weather affected voters during the day and suggested that polling hours should be extended in similar circumstances in future elections.
Ballot box torched in Bhimber
Another serious incident occurred in LA-6 Bhimber, where rival political workers clashed at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station.
PML-N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that workers from a rival party initiated the disturbance, while also accusing IPP supporters of creating unrest at Polling Station No. 95.
The District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed that unidentified individuals snatched a ballot box containing 232 votes and set it on fire.
Officials said the Returning Officer and security personnel were present at the site and legal proceedings had been initiated against those responsible.
The DRO said a decision regarding re-polling at the affected station would be taken after reviewing the incident, adding that polling remained peaceful at other stations.
He also confirmed receiving a complaint from former prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq regarding polling in LA-7, saying the matter had been examined and polling agents from all sides were present.
