AJK election results: PML-N, PPP in close contest

Unofficial and preliminary results from the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections have started to emerge, with

Unofficial and preliminary results from the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections have started to emerge, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) locked in a close contest across several constituencies.

The first phase covered 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, including the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Vote counting began after polling ended.

The preliminary results from the constituencies are as follows:

LA-1 Mirpur-I:

Results from 17 of the 139 polling stations have been received. PML-N candidate Azhar Sadiq is leading with 1,692 votes. PPP candidate Muhammad Afsar Shahid is in second place with 1,482 votes.

LA-2 Mirpur-II:

Results from 34 of 149 polling stations have been reported. PPP candidate Qasim Majeed is ahead with 3,103 votes. PML-N’s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry has secured 2,409 votes and is in second place.

LA-3 Mirpur-III:

Results from 18 of 161 polling stations show PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed leading with 2,265 votes. PPP candidate Chaudhry Yasir Sultan is second with 1,470 votes.

LA-4 Mirpur-IV:

Results from only two of 162 polling stations have been received. PML-N candidate Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed is leading with 327 votes. PPP candidate Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad has 223 votes.

LA-5 Bhimber-I:

Results from 15 of 176 polling stations show PPP candidate Chaudhry Parvez Ashraf in the lead with 2,310 votes. PML-N candidate Waqar Ahmed Noor is second with 1,767 votes.

LA-6 Bhimber-II:

Results from six of 195 polling stations have been received. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party candidate Ali Shan Chaudhry is leading with 1,313 votes. PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Razzaq is second with 585 votes.

LA-7 Bhimber-III:

Results from 27 of 237 polling stations show PML-N candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq leading with 5,331 votes. Independent candidate Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq is second with 2,598 votes.

LA-8 Kotli-I:

Results from 10 of 155 polling stations show PPP candidate Zafar Iqbal Malik ahead with 1,221 votes. PML-N candidate Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan is close behind with 1,174 votes.

LA-9 Kotli-II:

Results from one of 178 polling stations have been received. PML-N candidate Umair Naeem is leading with 534 votes, while PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi has 25 votes.

LA-10 Kotli-III:

Results from 12 of 169 polling stations show PML-N candidate Fateh Mahmood-ul-Hassan leading with 1,649 votes. PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin has 1,330 votes.

LA-11 Kotli-IV:

Results from three of 206 polling stations have been received. PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq is leading with 489 votes. PML-N candidate Muhammad Asif has 294 votes.

LA-13 Kotli-VI:

Results from 67 of 193 polling stations show PML-N candidate Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan leading with 10,389 votes. PPP candidate Muhammad Waleed Inqalabi is second with 8,785 votes.

The results remain unofficial and could change as counting continues and results from the remaining polling stations are received.

Claims of disruption in Bhimber

PPP AJK Election Cell in-charge Sardar Abdul Shakoor claimed that disturbances took place at polling stations 119, 120 and 121 in LA-5 Barnala.

He said the disruption affected the polling process. According to Shakoor, voting resumed after security forces reached the area. However, he said polling remained slow afterward.

Raja Pervez Ashraf calls for action

PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed concern over alleged irregularities in several constituencies.

He called for additional security personnel at sensitive polling stations, including locations in Gulpur, Thurochi and Muhajir Camp.

Ashraf urged the Election Commission to take immediate and impartial notice of all complaints. He also called for steps to ensure that the elections remain free, transparent and fair.

Police say polling remained peaceful

The spokesperson for the AJK inspector general of police said polling in the first phase across Mirpur Division remained peaceful.

The spokesperson said residents had rejected a call for a long march by a banned committee. Instead, voters chose to exercise their democratic right.

Voters began arriving at polling stations soon after voting opened at 8am.

AJK Inspector General of Police Liaquat Ali Malik thanked residents for cooperating with authorities and helping maintain peace during the electoral process.

He warned that no one, including political workers, would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.