AJK polls: PML-N emerges as largest party with 23 seats
The PML-N has emerged as the largest party in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections, securing 23 seats after polling completed in two phases, while the PPP has become the second-largest party with nine seats. Meanwhile, people will cast their votes in Kotla and parts of Lachhart today (Tuesday). Elections in these areas were deferred due to inclement weather.
According to the results announced so far, 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, two refugee seats and three seats in Muzaffarabad.
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's Mian Abdul Waheed, who secured 13,836 votes.
In LA-26 Neelum-II, PPP's Mian Abdul Waheed emerged victorious with 16,524 votes against PML-N candidate Shah Ghulam Qadir, who received 14,501 votes.
PPP candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan Abbasi won LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III with 20,045 votes, defeating PML-N's Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, who polled 16,507 votes.
In LA-30 Muzaffarabad-IV, PML-N candidate Dr Mustafa Bashir secured victory with 17,895 votes, while PPP's 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 secured 23,957 votes. In LA-32 Muzaffarabad-VI, PML-N's Raja Farooq Haider won with 21,613 votes against 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 secured 21,841 votes.
Justice (retd) Mughal said polling in LA-27 Kotla and at 51 polling stations in LA-28 Lachhrat had been postponed after adverse weather conditions prevented election material from reaching the polling stations on time during the second phase of polling on August 2.
Voting in the deferred constituencies will be held today (Tuesday).
The election commission has completed arrangements for the polling. Personnel from the Pakistan Army, Rangers and police will be deployed to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process, while additional security personnel have also been stationed at sensitive polling stations.
The chief election commissioner said polling in three constituencies of Bagh as well as in Haveli and Abbaspur would be held on August 10. He added that, depending on the security situation, polling in the Baloch and Pallandri constituencies was also likely to take place on August 10.
According to Justice (retd) Mughal, voter turnout stood at 46.3 per cent in Mirpur Division and 53 per cent in Muzaffarabad Division, which he described as encouraging under the prevailing circumstances.
The contest in LA-27 Kotla is expected to be closely fought among IPP candidate Sardar Tabarak Ali, PML-N's Noreen Arif and PPP's Sardar Javed Ayub. The constituency has 107,061 registered voters and 197 polling stations, making it one of the largest electoral contests in Muzaffarabad Division.
In LA-28 Lachhrat, the contest has become exceptionally close, with PPP candidate Bazal Ali Naqvi leading PML-N candidate Chaudhry Shehzad by just five votes based on results received so far.
Naqvi has secured 19,029 votes against Shehzad's 19,024 votes. Of the constituency's 115 polling stations, voting will be held today at 51 polling stations located in the union councils of Panjgran, Noseri and Nosda, making the final outcome highly uncertain.
The election commission said reinforced security arrangements had been put in place at all sensitive polling stations and urged voters to exercise their right to vote peacefully and cooperate with polling staff to ensure a transparent and orderly electoral process.