Poonch takes centre stage in AJK poll finale

Polling for 11 seats scheduled on August 10

ISLAMABAD:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir's general elections will enter their third and final phase on August 10 as polling is set to take place in Poonch Division on 11 general seats in what is expected to be the decisive contest for government formation in the new Legislative Assembly.

The outcome of the final phase will complete the electoral picture and determine which political party is best positioned to form the next government.

More than 1.154 million registered voters will cast their ballots to choose from 208 candidates contesting across the division's 11 constituencies.

Election authorities and political parties are making final preparations as attention shifts to Poonch, where every vote is expected to carry significant political weight.

The final phase will cover constituencies across the districts of Bagh, Haveli, Poonch (Rawalakot) and Sudhnoti.

Four constituencies - LA-14 Bagh-I, LA-15 Bagh-II, LA-16 Bagh-III and LA-17 Bagh/Haveli Kahuta - comprise the Bagh and Haveli region, while the remaining seven constituencies, LA-18 to LA-24, cover Rawalakot, Poonch and Sudhnoti.

The contest is expected to be closely fought, with major political parties facing stiff competition from a large number of independent candidates.