Bilawal rejects AJK election results, demands re-polling in disputed constituency

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has rejected the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and demanding fresh polling in the constituency contested by senior PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has rejected the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and demanding fresh polling in the constituency contested by senior PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin.

Addressing a workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, Bilawal said his party would not accept what it  described as a manipulated election outcome. He claimed there was substantial evidence of irregularities in several polling stations and called on the election authorities to order an immediate re-poll in the disputed constituency.

Bilawal alleged that around 30 polling stations in Chaudhry Yasin’s constituency were unlawfully occupied during the voting process. According to him, videos circulating on social media and obtained by the party show individuals allegedly stamping ballot papers illegally and interfering with the electoral process.

He further claimed that these polling stations recorded an unusually high voter turnout of approximately 90 percent, raising questions about the credibility of the results. The PPP chairman argued that the reported turnout, combined with the alleged video evidence, justified a fresh vote to ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

Criticizing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Bilawal accused the party of benefiting from electoral manipulation. He also made sharp political remarks against the ruling party, alleging that it had a long history of relying on rigged elections. His comments have further intensified the political dispute surrounding the AJK election results.

The PPP leadership has urged the relevant election authorities to investigate the alleged irregularities and review the evidence presented by the party. Bilawal maintained that a transparent inquiry and re-polling in the affected constituency are essential to protect the integrity of the democratic process.

The PML-N has not issued a detailed response to Bilawal’s latest allegations at the time of writing. Election authorities have also not announced any decision regarding the demand for re-polling.

The dispute has added to the political tension following the Azad Kashmir elections, with rival parties exchanging accusations over the fairness of the electoral process. The coming days are expected to be crucial as the Election Commission reviews complaints submitted by political parties and determines whether any further action is warranted.

If approved, re-polling in the disputed constituency could have implications for the final political landscape in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.