PPP rejects Azad Kashmir election results, alleges rigging and electoral irregularities

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari has strongly rejected the election results, declaring that his party will not accept what he described as a flawed and manipulated electoral process. Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Bukhari alleged that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities, voter manipulation, and violence, making them neither free nor fair.

Bukhari claimed that the PPP possesses evidence of electoral misconduct. According to him, ballot papers were allegedly distributed among supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and party workers were seen providing ballot papers outside polling stations. He argued that such practices seriously undermined the credibility of the electoral process and violated the principles of transparent and democratic elections.

Speaking to journalists, Bukhari questioned the fairness of the election, stating that a truly transparent election should allow voters to cast their ballots freely without interference or manipulation. He accused the authorities and political rivals of attempting to ensure victory for their preferred candidates through unfair means. As a result, he emphasized that the PPP does not recognize these elections as free and fair and therefore refuses to accept the announced results.

The PPP leader also made serious allegations against a PML-N candidate, claiming that the individual was involved in a murder case. He urged the relevant law enforcement agencies and government institutions to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure that those responsible are arrested and brought to justice. According to Bukhari, allowing such individuals to contest elections raises serious concerns about the rule of law and the integrity of the democratic process.

Bukhari further alleged that law and order in Azad Jammu and Kashmir had significantly deteriorated. He pointed to what he described as increasing incidents of violence and political intimidation during the election period. Referring to recent events, he claimed that even the President of Azad Kashmir had been attacked, calling it evidence of the worsening security situation and the failure of the authorities to maintain peace.

He also highlighted attacks on members of his own party. Bukhari stated that PPP Member of the National Assembly Salahuddin Junejo was attacked, while PPP worker Mushtaq Hussain Shah was killed. He described these incidents as tragic examples of political violence and intimidation aimed at discouraging democratic participation. Furthermore, he alleged that in constituency LA-31, the PPP candidate was attacked by PML-N workers and was subsequently hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident.

Describing the elections as fraudulent and heavily rigged, Bukhari argued that the overall electoral environment was neither peaceful nor impartial. He maintained that the democratic rights of voters had been compromised and that the results failed to reflect the genuine will of the people. He stressed that elections conducted under such circumstances cannot earn public confidence or democratic legitimacy.

Concluding his remarks, Bukhari stated that governments established through coercion and manipulation cannot gain lasting public acceptance. He reaffirmed that the PPP respects the will of the people and believes that democratic principles must always be upheld. However, he alleged that the public mandate, particularly in the Mirpur Division, had not been respected. According to Bukhari, the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected the PML-N, and the election results did not accurately represent the voters’ true choice.