MUZAFFARABAD: Polling for the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections began on Monday across 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, with voters casting ballots in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber.
Voting started at 8:00am and will continue until 5:00pm, with comprehensive security arrangements in place to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Nearly 1.4 Million Voters to Elect Representatives
According to election officials, 1,401,439 registered voters are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase of the elections. The electorate includes 725,118 male and 675,628 female voters.
A total of 296 candidates are contesting 13 Legislative Assembly seats, representing major political parties including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), as well as independent candidates.
More Than 2,400 Polling Stations Established
Election authorities have established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division to facilitate voters.
The breakdown includes:
- 597 polling stations in four constituencies of Mirpur
- 1,107 polling stations in six constituencies of Kotli
- 608 polling stations in three constituencies of Bhimber
Heavy security has been deployed across all constituencies to maintain law and order throughout the polling process.
Election Commission Warns Against Disruptions
AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections. He added that the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected disruptive elements and reaffirmed confidence in the democratic process.
PPP Accuses PML-N of Creating Controversy
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) accused the ruling PML-N of attempting to make the elections controversial due to fears of electoral defeat.
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said the people of Kashmir were politically aware and capable of making their own decisions. She questioned why the PML-N objected if voters wished to support the PPP, alleging that the party was trying to undermine the public mandate.
PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri also expressed confidence in her party’s prospects, describing the PPP’s arrow election symbol as a symbol of hope for the people of Mirpur.
Bilawal Claims PML-N Wants Nawaz Sharif Appointed AJK Premier
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in a video message alongside Asifa Bhutto-Zardari, urged Kashmiris to vote in large numbers, saying the future of Kashmir should be decided by its own people.
Senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also alleged federal interference in the elections and called for free, fair, and transparent polling without the misuse of official resources.
Ballot Box Set on Fire in Bhimber
A violent incident was reported in LA-6 Bhimber, where workers from rival political parties clashed at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station.
PML-N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that supporters of a rival party initiated the confrontation and claimed that IPP workers also created disturbances at Polling Station No. 95.
The altercation forced polling to be temporarily suspended at the affected polling stations.
Authorities Confirm Ballot Box Burned
The District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed that unidentified individuals snatched a ballot box and set it on fire during the clash.
According to the DRO, the destroyed ballot box contained 232 votes.
Election officials and security personnel were present at the polling station during the incident, and legal proceedings have been initiated against those responsible.
Officials said a decision on whether re-polling would be held at the affected polling station would be taken after reviewing the situation.
Apart from the isolated incident in Bhimber, authorities said polling continued peacefully across the remaining constituencies.
The DRO also confirmed receiving a complaint from former Prime Minister Anwarul Haq regarding LA-7. He said he personally inspected the polling stations concerned and found polling agents representing Anwarul Haq present at the locations.
