MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the leading party in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, securing nine out of 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, according to preliminary results issued by the AJK Election Commission.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the remaining four seats, with unofficial results showing that the PML-N maintained a clear lead after an intense election campaign across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts.
Polling for the first phase was held on Monday in 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division, where hundreds of thousands of voters exercised their right to vote amid strict security arrangements. The counting process continued overnight, with election authorities compiling results through official forms.
According to preliminary results, the PML-N secured victories in Dadyal, Khari Sharif, Barnala, Samahni, Bhimber, Nakyal, Sehnsa, Charhoi and Khuiratta constituencies, while the PPP won the key city of Mirpur, two seats in Kotli and one in Chakswari.
PML-N maintains strong position
Among the announced results, PML-N candidates secured notable victories in several constituencies. In LA-1 Mirpur-I, PML-N’s Azhar Sadiq defeated PPP candidate Muhammad Afzal Shahid, securing 15,427 votes against 9,832.
In LA-5 Mirpur-I, PML-N’s Waqar Ahmed Noor won a closely contested seat against PPP leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Ashraf. Noor secured 29,821 votes, defeating Ashraf by a margin of 721 votes, who received 29,100 votes.
In LA-7 Bhimber-III, senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Tariq Farooq defeated former AJK prime minister and independent candidate Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, securing 37,613 votes against 25,534.
The PML-N also secured victories in Kotli constituencies, including LA-9 Kotli-II, LA-11 Kotli-IV, LA-12 Kotli-V and LA-13 Kotli-VI. In LA-12 Kotli-V, PML-N candidate Muhammad Riasat Khan defeated PPP’s Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, polling 35,168 votes against 30,320. Meanwhile, in LA-11 Kotli-IV, PML-N’s Muhammad Asif defeated PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq after securing 26,190 votes.
PPP wins four seats
The PPP managed to secure four constituencies in the first phase, including important seats in Mirpur. PPP candidate Qasim Majeed won LA-2 Mirpur-II with 12,904 votes, defeating PML-N’s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry, who received 8,182 votes.
The party also retained LA-8 Kotli-I, where Zafar Iqbal Malik defeated PML-N’s Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan by securing 19,535 votes.
In LA-3 Mirpur-III, PPP’s Chaudhry Yasir Sultan emerged victorious with 11,676 votes against PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, who received 9,832 votes. The PPP also secured another seat in the Mirpur region as results were finalised by election authorities.
Polling held amid tight security
The first phase of the elections involved 296 candidates representing major political parties, including the PML-N, PPP, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and independent groups.
The AJK Election Commission said 1,401,439 registered voters, including 725,118 men and 675,628 women, were eligible to cast ballots.
Authorities established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division, including 597 in Mirpur, 1,107 in Kotli and 608 in Bhimber.
Polling officially ended at 6pm on Monday after the AJK Election Commission extended voting time by one hour to facilitate voters.
Violence and rigging allegations
Although officials described the polling process as largely peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and allegations of irregularities were reported.
A person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting incident at a polling station in LA-9 Kotli-II Nakyal. Deputy Inspector General Kamran Ali confirmed the casualty, while polling at the affected station was temporarily suspended. PPP candidate Javed Budhanvi identified the deceased as Mukhtar Younis, a party worker.
Another incident occurred in LA-6 Bhimber, where unidentified individuals allegedly snatched a ballot box containing 232 votes and set it on fire after clashes between rival political workers at Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station.
The District Returning Officer confirmed the incident and said legal proceedings had been initiated. A decision on possible re-polling at the affected station will be taken after reviewing the situation.
Political parties also traded allegations of electoral malpractice, with both the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of irregularities.
Next phases of AJK elections
The remaining phases of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections will be held in August. The second phase is scheduled for August 2, covering nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division and all 12 refugee constituencies.
The third and final phase will take place on August 10 for 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. Authorities have pledged strict security measures to ensure peaceful polling during the remaining phases.
