PPP to challenge AJK polls results at legal forums: Sharjeel

Alleges AJK Election Commission working as PML-N's B-team

KARACHI:

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday accused the federal government, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of colluding to influence the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, alleging widespread irregularities and voter manipulation.

Addressing a press conference alongside PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin today in Karachi, Sharjeel claimed there had been a coordinated effort to defeat Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates in the AJK polls.

He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had repeatedly stressed the importance of holding transparent elections in AJK and urged the authorities to prioritise the interests of the Kashmiri people over those of any political party.

The senior minister alleged that the election commission had failed to act impartially during the electoral process and accused it of ignoring the party's complaints.

"It appeared as though the AJK Election Commission had become the B-team of the PML-N," he said, adding that the AJK elections had repeated the pattern of the 2024 general elections.

Referring to the 2024 polls, Sharjeel said they had produced what the PPP described as a "Form-47 government", and alleged that the AJK elections had gone a step further.

"We want to place all the facts before the relevant forums. Our response will be based on evidence and legal arguments, not abusive language," he said.

He alleged that the PPP had lodged multiple complaints with the AJK Election Commission during polling, including in Mirpur Division, but none had been addressed.

He also claimed that polling staff and election materials failed to reach several polling stations on time, affecting the voting process.

The senior minister questioned the election commission's decision to postpone polling in LA-27, saying weather had been cited as the reason despite clear conditions.