PML-N leads first phase of AJK polls as unofficial results emerge

Among the declared results, PPP candidate Qasim Majeed won the LA-2 Mirpur-II seat with 12,904 votes, defeating PML-N s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry, who secured 8,182 votes.

In LA-1 Mirpur-I, PML-N candidate Azhar Sadiq was elected after receiving 15,427 votes, ahead of PPP s Muhammad Afser Shahid, who polled 9,832 votes.

PPP candidate Chaudhry Yasir Sultan won LA-3 Mirpur-III with 11,676 votes, defeating PML-N s Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, who secured 9,832 votes.

PML-N s Rukhsar Ahmed won the LA-4 Mirpur-IV constituency with 20,172 votes, while PPP s Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad received 13,865 votes.

In LA-9 Kotli-II, PML-N candidate Umair Niazi secured victory with 31,080 votes, defeating PPP s Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, who received 28,509 votes.

PML-N s Chaudhry Tariq Farooq also won the LA-7 Bhimber-III seat with 35,490 votes, defeating independent candidate Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who secured 25,100 votes.

Polling ended at 6pm after the AJK Election Commission extended voting by one hour to facilitate voters.

A total of 296 candidates, including nominees from the PPP, PML-N, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and independent candidates, contested the first phase across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts.

Election officials said 1,401,439 registered voters, including 725,118 men and 675,628 women, were eligible to cast their ballots.

The Election Commission established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division, including 597 in Mirpur, 1,107 in Kotli and 608 in Bhimber. Authorities said extensive security arrangements were made to ensure peaceful polling.

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.

Separately, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said the people had reaffirmed their confidence in the democratic process. He added that all state institutions remained fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections and warned that action would be taken against anyone trying to disturb law and order.

One killed in polling station shooting

One person was killed and three others injured in a shooting incident at a polling station in LA-9 Kotli-II, Nakyal, police said.

Deputy Inspector General Kamran Ali confirmed the fatality, while officials said polling at the station was suspended after the incident.

PPP candidate Javed Budhanvi identified the deceased as Mukhtar Younis, a party worker, and said the body had been shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed grief over the death and extended condolences to the victim s family.

In a statement, Bilawal alleged that supporters of PML-N candidate Umair Niazi opened fire, resulting in the death of the PPP worker.

Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal described the AJK elections as among the most significant in the region s history and stressed that transparent and credible polls were essential for an effective government.

He also expressed concern over the unresolved issue of refugee seats, warning that if the elections became controversial, the incoming government s mandate would also be questioned.

Sanaullah says polling largely peaceful

Prime Minister s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the polling process remained largely peaceful, with only one major untoward incident reported.

He said a few minor incidents occurred, but apart from the firing incident, no major disruptions were recorded. Sanaullah also described the overall polling arrangements as satisfactory and suggested extending polling hours in future because of the hot weather.

PPP alleges interference

PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman accused the PML-N of trying to make the elections controversial out of fear of defeat.

She said the people of Kashmir were politically aware and capable of making their own decisions, adding that the PPP enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the people of the region.

PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri also claimed that the party s election symbol, the arrow, represented hope for the people of Mirpur and expressed confidence in the PPP s electoral performance.

In a video message alongside his sister Asifa Bhutto-Zardari, Bilawal urged voters to support PPP candidates and vote for the party s arrow symbol.

Senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also alleged federal interference in the elections and called for a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

Ballot box set on fire in Bhimber

A clash between workers of two political parties erupted at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station in LA-6 Bhimber.

PML-N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that rival party workers initiated the violence and claimed that IPP workers created disturbances at Polling Station No. 95.

According to him, polling at both affected stations was suspended.

The District Returning Officer confirmed that a ballot box containing 232 votes was snatched and set on fire by unidentified individuals.

He said legal action would be taken against those involved and that a decision on re-polling at the affected station would be made later.

The officer added that the situation remained normal at other polling stations and said he had also reviewed complaints lodged by former prime minister Anwarul Haq regarding LA-7, where polling agents were present during his inspection.