PPP leads in two AJK seats as PML-N wins one

The Pakistan Peoples Party is leading in two constituencies in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections

MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party is leading in two constituencies in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is ahead in one seat. An independent candidate has also secured victory in another constituency, according to unofficial results.

Polling was held in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts in the Poonch division. However, voting could not take place at several polling stations because of unrest and security concerns.

In LA-15 Bagh-2, PPP candidate Zia Qamar was leading after results from most polling stations were received. PML-N candidate Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was in second place.

PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar Khan was leading in LA-16 Eastern Bagh. He was ahead of PPP candidate Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan, making the constituency the strongest prospect for the PML-N in the third phase.

In LA-17 Haveli-Kahuta, PPP candidate and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was ahead of PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz in the closely contested race.

An unexpected result emerged from LA-14 Western Bagh. Independent candidate Sardar Sajid Iqbal Abbasi defeated former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in his home constituency.

The AJK Election Commission has also announced re-polling at 23 polling stations. The exercise will take place on August 15.

According to Election Commission officials, voting will be repeated at nine polling stations in LA-16 and 14 stations in LA-15. Polling at these locations could not be conducted during the earlier round because of unrest.

Elections in five constituencies of Poonch and two constituencies of Sudhnoti have been postponed. The authorities are expected to announce new dates after reviewing the security situation.

Meanwhile, PML-N candidate Mohsin Aziz has demanded a recount in LA-17 Bagh-4. His request was rejected by the Returning Officer, prompting PML-N workers to stage a sit-in outside the RO office.

Aziz said the protest would continue until the votes were recounted. The demand has added another layer of uncertainty to the closely contested election process.

The PPP has also raised allegations of electoral irregularities. Party leaders have accused authorities of disrupting polling and creating difficulties for voters and polling agents.

PPP representatives have called for an impartial review of complaints. They said the Election Commission should examine allegations of irregularities to ensure that the voters’ mandate is protected.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman had earlier raised concerns over delays in polling. She also alleged that party polling agents were stopped from entering some polling stations.

The PML-N has rejected the allegations of widespread rigging. Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said the PPP was using the rigging narrative to cover what he described as an electoral setback.

He also called for an end to protests and sit-ins. Sanaullah said legitimate demands would be considered by the government, while warning that violence and armed activity would be dealt with according to law.

The PML-N remains in a strong position overall after the first two phases of the AJK elections. It won nine of 13 seats in the Mirpur division during the first phase.

In the second phase, the party secured 15 seats from the Muzaffarabad division and refugee seats. The PPP won four seats in the first phase and six in the second.

The PML-N has so far secured 24 seats across the first two phases, while the PPP has won 10. The ruling party has said it needs only a few additional seats to reach a two-thirds majority in the AJK Assembly.