PML-N consolidates lead with 23 seats in AJK elections, PPP stands second with nine

Voter turnout is encouraging, with 46.3% participation in Mirpur Division and 53% in Muzaffarabad Division

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz consolidated its position in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, securing 23 seats in the two-phase general elections, while the Pakistan Peoples Party emerged as the second-largest party with nine seats.

The PML-N won nine seats in Mirpur Division, 10 seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) settled in Pakistan and four seats in Muzaffarabad Division. The PPP secured four seats in Mirpur Division, two refugee seats and three seats in Muzaffarabad Division.

Announcing the results of seven constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said PML-N candidate Shah Ghulam Qadir won LA-25 Neelum-I with 19,201 votes, defeating PPP candidate Mian Abdul Waheed, who polled 13,836 votes.

In LA-26 Neelum-II, Mian Abdul Waheed of the PPP emerged victorious with 16,524 votes while Shah Ghulam Qadir of the PML-N secured 14,501 votes.

PPP candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan Abbasi won LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III with 20,045 votes against PML-N candidate Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, who received 16,507 votes.

In LA-30 Muzaffarabad-IV, PML-N’s Dr Mustafa Bashir secured victory with 17,895 votes, while PPP candidate Mubashir Munir Awan finished second with 12,323 votes.

PML-N candidate Saqib Majid Raja won LA-31 Muzaffarabad-V with 32,511 votes, defeating PPP’s Chaudhry Latif Akbar, who polled 23,957 votes.

In LA-32 Muzaffarabad-VI, PML-N candidate Farooq Haider secured 21,613 votes to defeat PPP candidate Ashfaq Zafar, who received 19,274 votes.

PPP candidate Dewan Ali Khan won LA-33 Muzaffarabad-VII with 26,357 votes, while PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid stood second with 21,841 votes.

Mughal said polling in LA-27 Kotla and LA-28 Lachhrat had been postponed at 54 polling stations after adverse weather conditions prevented election material from reaching the stations on time. Polling at the affected stations will be held on Tuesday.

READ: AJK polls: PML-N leads in second phase

He said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place for the fresh polling with personnel from the Pakistan Army, Rangers and police deployed across the constituencies. Additional security personnel have also been stationed at sensitive polling stations identified by candidates.

Mughal said polling in three constituencies of Bagh, as well as Haveli and Abbaspur, would be held on August 10. He added that, depending on the security situation, polling in Baloch and Pallandri constituencies was also likely to be held on August 10.

According to the chief election commissioner, voter turnout in Mirpur Division stood at 46.3%, while Muzaffarabad Division recorded a turnout of 53%. He described the participation as encouraging, given the prevailing circumstances.

Earlier, polling for the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections concluded on Sunday, as the PPP accused the PML-N of undermining the electoral process through widespread rigging.

Polling was held in eight of the nine constituencies of the Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies.

READ MORE: PPP alleges collusion in AJK polls, vows to challenge results through legal forums

As the accusations intensified, senior leaders from both parties held competing press conferences. The PPP accused the federal government of interfering in the elections through development announcements and misuse of official resources, while the PML-N alleged the PPP was itself attempting to manipulate the vote, claiming ballot papers had been recovered from the residence of a rival candidate.