AJK polls: Sajid Iqbal wins LA-14 as PML-N, PPP lead in key constituencies

The decades-long political dominance of the Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan family in Azad Jammu and Kashmir appeared to have come to an end on Monday, as Sardar Sajid Iqbal won the closely watched LA-14 (Western Bagh/DhirKot) constituency with 40,702 votes, according to unofficial results received from 213 of the constituency’s 214 polling stations.

Former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan secured 19,542 votes, losing the contest by more than 21,160 votes. The PML-N's Faisal Azad got 3,000 and PPP's Mubashar Ejaz secured 2,800 votes. 

The result marks a major setback for the Atiq Ahmed Khan family, which has dominated politics in parts of AJK for more than seven decades.

The decisive margin turned what was billed as one of the most closely watched contests in the third phase of the AJK general elections into a clear victory for Sajid Iqbal.

The LA-14 Western Bagh/DhirKot contest had attracted considerable political attention, with candidates backed by major political parties and independent contenders conducting an intensive campaign ahead of polling. A large number of voters turned out to exercise their franchise, while heightened security arrangements were made at polling stations across the constituency.

Sajid Iqbal’s victory triggered celebrations among his supporters, who described the result as a rejection of traditional political dominance in the constituency. He was backed by Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

In a victory speech after the emerging result, Sajid Iqbal dedicated his victory to the people of DhirKot, saying they had chosen public service over conventional politics.
Meanwhile, in LA-17 Haveli, unofficial results from 170 of the constituency’s 190 polling stations showed PML-N candidate Mohsin Aziz leading with 31,428 votes, while PPP’s Faisal Rathore was in second place with 24,218 votes.

In LA-15 Central Bagh, PPP candidate Zia-ul-Qamar was leading with 18,825 votes, while PML-N candidate Mushtaq Minhas was in second place with more than 15000 votes. The JI candidate, Brigadier Retired Muhammad Khan, got more than 12000 votes. 

In LA-16 Eastern Bagh, PML-N candidate Mir Akbar was also maintaining a lead of more than 4000. Mir Akbar got a total of 14,900 and PPP candidate Sardar Qamar-uz-Zaman bagged 10960 according to the latest unofficial results. Some 14 polling station results are awaited. 

The polling in Bagh and Haveli marked the third phase of the 2026 AJK general elections, with the outcome expected to shape the political balance in the AJK following polling in the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions.

PPP's levies rigging allegations

Speaking at a press conference alongside Sharmila Faruqui and Shehla Raza, PPP leader Senator Palwasha Khan described the AJK election as a “darkest stain”, alleging widespread rigging and accusing government ministers of trying to cover it up.

She rejected claims that the election had been peaceful, calling them a “blatant lie” given the incidents reported during polling. Palwasha alleged that the government had known the results in advance and announced victories before the official results were declared.

“Stopping and delaying the polling process and then describing it as a minor incident is their political trait,” she said. She also questioned claims of a 96-99% turnout, calling the figure “a sign of doomsday”.

Palwasha warned that the alleged rigging could fuel “a new fire” in Kashmir and said it would damage the Kashmir issue. She said the PML-N government expected to be formed in AJK would be a “controversial government”.

Palwasha also referred to casualties and arrests during the election-related unrest, questioning the whereabouts of those allegedly affected by the violence and asking about women who she claimed had been buried under police guard.

Meanwhile, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman expressed concern over delays in polling at several stations in LA-15 and LA-16 and alleged that party polling agents were barred from entering stations 119 and 120 in LA-16. She also alleged that a PPP agent was removed from polling station 158 in LA-15 and had urged the Election Commission to intervene to ensure uninterrupted and transparent voting.

نائب صدر پیپلز پارٹی سینیٹر شیری رحمان کا آزاد کشمیر میں پولنگ میں تاخیر اور پیپلز پارٹی کے پولنگ ایجنٹس کو روکنے پر شدید تحفظات

ایل اے 16 کے پولنگ اسٹیشن 61 اور ایل اے 15 کے پولنگ اسٹیشنز 87، 143، 144 پر بروقت پولنگ شروع نہ ہونا تشویشناک ہے، شیری رحمان

پولنگ میں تاخیر کا… pic.twitter.com/PyAaXIce5u

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

Separately, PPP-Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari alleged that the PML-N had continued its alleged rigging in the third phase of the AJK elections. He had said the PPP had repeatedly alerted the chief election commissioner and Election Commission secretary to alleged irregularities but had been told that “nothing had happened” and everything was in order. Bukhari had questioned why election officials were offering explanations and assurances instead of taking immediate action on complaints.

پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی پارلیمنٹرینز کے سیکریٹری جنرل نیر بخاری کا آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے تیسرے مرحلے کے انتخابات میں دھاندلی اور بے ضابطگی کے حوالے سے بیان

پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی پہلے دن سے آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے انتخابات میں مسلم لیگ ن کی دھاندلی کو بے نقاب کررہی ہے، نیر بخاری

مسلم لیگ ن… pic.twitter.com/niiCfquag4

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

Earlier, the PPP lodged a series of complaints with the AJK Election Commission, alleging irregularities and disruptions at several polling stations in constituencies LA-15 and LA-16.

In one complaint concerning LA-15, the PPP alleged that roads leading to polling stations in Banni Marisara had been blocked and ballot papers were being “illegally stamped”, affecting 12 polling stations. The party said the obstruction had prevented voters, polling staff and party agents from reaching the stations and called for immediate intervention by the election authorities.

پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے آزاد کشمیر الیکشن سیل نے حلقہ 15 میں دھندلی کی شکایت الیکشن کمیشن سے فوری کارروائی کا مطالبہ کردیا

پیپلز پارٹی کے امیدوار ضیاء القمر کی جانب سے شکایت درج کرائی گئی ہے کہ بنی مراسیرا جانے والی سڑکیں بند کر دی گئی ہیں

شکایت کے مطابق بنی مراسیرا میں مسلم… pic.twitter.com/UL12tG0hv8

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

The PPP also alleged that polling staff had failed to reach polling stations 143 and 144 in Hatala Pader, delaying the start of voting. It urged the Election Commission to arrange substitute staff if the assigned personnel could not reach the stations.

ایل اے 15 کے پولنگ اسٹیشنز 143 اور 144 ہٹالہ پدر پر صبح ساڑھے نو بجے تک پولنگ عملہ نہ پہنچ سکا، پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کی الیکشن کمیشن کو شکایت

مظفرآباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی نے حلقہ ایل اے 15 کے پولنگ اسٹیشنز نمبر 143 اور 144 ہٹالہ پدر پر پولنگ عملہ نہ پہنچنے اور مقررہ وقت کے ڈیڑھ… pic.twitter.com/BjyDS2ccl4

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

In another complaint, the party alleged that its polling agent at polling station 158 in Makhdoom Kot, LA-15, had been “forcibly removed” from the station and prevented from performing his duties. The PPP asked that the agent be restored and that the time lost during his absence be recorded.

ایل اے 15 کے پولنگ اسٹیشن نمبر 158 سے پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے پولنگ ایجنٹ کو زبردستی نکال دیا گیا، الیکشن کمیشن سے فوری بحالی اور ریکارڈ محفوظ کرنے کا مطالبہ

مظفرآباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی آزاد کشمیر الیکشن سیل نے حلقہ ایل اے 15 کے امیدوار ضیاء القمر کی جانب سے چیف الیکشن کمشنر آزاد… pic.twitter.com/qFrE15zcBC

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

In LA-16, the PPP alleged that its polling agents were not being allowed to enter polling stations 119 and 120, where it claimed ballot papers were being stamped. It said excluding polling agents prevented them from monitoring the voting process and called on the Election Commission to ensure their immediate access.

ایل اے 16 کے دو پولنگ اسٹیشنز پر پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے پولنگ ایجنٹس کو داخلے سے روک دیا گیا، بیلٹ پیپرز پر مہریں لگانے کی شکایت

مظفرآباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی نے حلقہ ایل اے 16 کے پولنگ اسٹیشن نمبر 119 اور 120 پر پارٹی کے پولنگ ایجنٹس کو داخلے سے روکنے اور ان کی غیر موجودگی میں… pic.twitter.com/wg7wCLCSGJ

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

The party separately complained that polling had not commenced at station 141 in Paintpoi, LA-16, because the assigned staff had not arrived. It said voters were waiting outside and urged the authorities to ensure polling started without further delay.

ایل اے 16 کے پولنگ اسٹیشن نمبر 141 پینٹوپی پر مقررہ وقت گزرنے کے باوجود پولنگ شروع نہ ہوسکی، پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کا الیکشن کمیشن سے فوری کارروائی کا مطالبہ

مظفرآباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی نے حلقہ ایل اے 16 کے پولنگ اسٹیشن نمبر 141 پینٹوپی پر مقررہ وقت گزرنے کے باوجود پولنگ شروع نہ… pic.twitter.com/F3IQnuDVlZ

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 10, 2026

Closely fought battles in third phase

The Bagh-Haveli contests were particularly significant because the PML-N emerged as the leading party after the first two phases. However, the third phase is expected to produce several closely fought battles involving the PPP, the PML-N, the JI, the Muslim Conference, the IPP, independents and other political groups.

The Election Commission has put special security arrangements in place at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations. Police and other law-enforcement personnel have been deployed across the constituencies to maintain law and order.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal instructed polling staff to remain impartial and strictly adhere to the electoral code of conduct. 

The remaining seven constituencies, covering Rawalakot, Poonch and Sudhnoti, are expected to go to the polls later, potentially by August 20, subject to the prevailing political situation.

The first two phases

The first phase concluded with polling across Mirpur Division, while the second phase covered nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats, bringing 21 constituencies to the polls. However, voting in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was postponed after heavy rain, landslides and adverse weather prevented election staff and polling material from reaching several polling stations.

Read More: Bagh-Haveli vote to test PML-N's dominance

Polling in the two delayed constituencies was held on Tuesday under heightened security arrangements, with the PML-N winning LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and the PPP securing LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, formally bringing the second phase of the elections to a close. The Election Commission subsequently notified the results of all 21 constituencies contested in the second phase.

Following the completion of the first two phases, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the largest party with 24 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) became the second-largest parliamentary force with 10 seats.

The postponement came against the backdrop of deteriorating security conditions in Poonch Division, where tensions have persisted since late July. Violent clashes erupted in Rawalakot between police and members of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) after the group attempted to enter the city during the first phase of the AJK elections.

Several videos circulating online showed scenes of unrest, with claims of violence and casualties, though the details could not be independently verified.

Authorities said JAAC supporters opened fire on police after refusing to disperse, injuring officers, while the group alleged security forces had used excessive force, claiming multiple fatalities among its supporters. Since then, the government has maintained that the law and order situation in parts of Poonch and Sudhnoti remained fragile.