PPP chairman Bilawal alleges ‘vote theft’ in AJK polls, demands fair election

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused political opponents of “stealing” votes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, urging the state to decide whether the national interest or the interests of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) should take priority.

Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal claimed that voters in Mirpur and Kotli had been denied their electoral rights and questioned whether the developments surrounding the AJK elections could genuinely be described as democracy.

Bilawal thanked the people of Mirpur, saying they had supported the PPP through their votes. However, he alleged that decisions by state institutions appeared to be favouring the PML-N, warning that such a situation would ultimately hurt Kashmir, Pakistan and ordinary citizens.

“National interest must come first,” Bilawal said, according to his party’s account of the speech. He maintained that the PPP would stand with the state of Pakistan when it comes to national interests, but not when, in his view, those interests were being confused with the interests of a political party.

He also criticised what he described as restrictions on political activity and internet connectivity, saying such measures could undermine the democratic character of AJK. Bilawal argued that shutting down internet services would create an impression inconsistent with the idea of an “Azad Kashmir”.

His remarks came after the first phase of the AJK elections in the Mirpur division was marked by clashes, violence and allegations of electoral manipulation. Polling was held across 13 constituencies in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber, with rival PPP and PML-N supporters accusing each other of irregularities.

The election environment also turned violent in Kotli, where one person was killed and others were injured during clashes. The PPP alleged rigging and ballot stuffing in several constituencies, while the wider electoral process remained under scrutiny.

Bilawal questioned how attacks could occur at multiple polling stations despite extensive security arrangements. He alleged that the elections were being conducted in phases in a manner that could facilitate manipulation.

The PPP chairman further vowed to pursue what he called the rights of party workers and said his party would not accept the denial of its supporters’ mandate.

With more phases of polling still to come, demands for free, fair and transparent elections are likely to remain at the centre of political debate in AJK. Bilawal said the PPP’s reconciliation-based political approach should be considered to protect democratic institutions and what he described as the broader Kashmir cause.