PML-N sweeps first phase of AJK polls amid rigging claims, violence

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the clear frontrunner in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, securing nine of the 13 seats contested across Mirpur Division, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the remaining four seats, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results released on Tuesday.

Polling was held across 13 constituencies in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts from 8am to 6pm after the Election Commission extended voting by one hour. The elections are being conducted in three phases under a revised schedule announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal.

The first phase covered all constituencies in Mirpur Division, while polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies is scheduled for August 2, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) Division on August 10.

According to unofficial results, the PML-N won constituencies LA-1, LA-4, LA-5, LA-7, LA-9, LA-11, LA-12 and LA-13, while the PPP secured victories in LA-2, LA-3, LA-8 and LA-10. Results for LA-6 Bhimber-II were still pending, with PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Razaq holding a comfortable lead after votes from more than half the polling stations were counted.

The results underscored the PML-N's strong showing in Mirpur Division, although voter turnout remained lower than in the previous AJK elections.

Reacting to the outcome, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the results reflected the people's confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, describing the vote as an endorsement of the party's development agenda for Azad Kashmir.

Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb also welcomed the outcome, saying the people of Mirpur had reaffirmed the confidence they had shown during Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's election campaign in the region. She expressed optimism that voters in the remaining phases would also support the PML-N.

Polls overshadowed by violence, rigging allegations

Despite elaborate security arrangements, the first phase of the elections was marred by allegations of rigging, sporadic violence and political confrontation between coalition partners PML-N and PPP.

The controversy began when the PML-N alleged pre-poll irregularities in LA-10 Kotli, claiming election staff and polling material had been shifted to a private residence instead of the designated polling station. The Election Commission later confirmed it had suspended and arrested two presiding officers, replacing them and initiating legal proceedings.

The PPP, meanwhile, accused the federal government and the PML-N of using state machinery to influence the electoral process. It alleged that armed supporters attempted to disrupt polling at several stations and claimed voting at one polling station in Kotli remained suspended for nearly two hours, disenfranchising voters.

Tensions peaked in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nikyal), where PPP worker Mukhtar Younus was killed during polling. The PPP blamed armed supporters of a PML-N candidate for the shooting, while the PML-N rejected the allegation. Local authorities confirmed one fatality and injuries to two others, including the deceased's father.

As the political temperature rose, senior leaders of both parties held separate press conferences, accusing each other of manipulating the electoral process. The PPP alleged misuse of official resources and pre-poll influence through development announcements, while the PML-N countered by accusing the PPP of attempting to stuff ballot boxes, claiming ballot papers had been recovered from the residence of a PPP candidate.

Throughout the day, the Election Commission maintained that violations of the electoral code of conduct would be dealt with strictly and assured that legal action would be taken wherever irregularities were established.

With two phases of polling still to come, the opening round has not only given the PML-N an early electoral advantage but has also set the stage for an increasingly intense political contest amid continuing allegations of electoral misconduct.