AJK election outcome remains uncertain as re-polling ordered at 23 stations

Re-polling could reshape the race as PML-N and PPP remain locked in close contests across key Bagh constituencies

ISLAMABAD:

The outcome of two constituencies in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections remained uncertain on Tuesday after the Election Commission ordered re-polling at 23 polling stations in Bagh.

Re-polling will be held at nine polling stations in LA-15 Bagh-II and 14 in LA-16 Bagh-III on August 15 from 8am to 5pm, according to an Election Commission spokesperson. The decision was taken on the basis of reports submitted by the respective returning officers.

In LA-15, results from 204 of the constituency's 213 polling stations had been received. Re-polling will be held at polling stations 114, 135, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148 and 186.

In the latest unofficial results received before the re-polling decision, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ziaul Qamar was leading with 18,825 votes, followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Mushtaq Minhas with more than 15,000 votes. Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Khan had secured more than 12,000 votes.

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

In LA-16, results from 172 of the constituency's 186 polling stations had been received. PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar Khan was leading PPP's Sardar Qamar-uz-Zaman by 3,225 votes in the latest unofficial results available late on Monday. The final result in LA-16 will remain pending until re-polling is held at polling stations 28, 29, 40, 49, 50, 51, 77, 91, 109, 110, 111, 112, 143 and 149.

The third phase was also marked by a disputed result in LA-17 Bagh-IV, where PPP candidate and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was declared the winner against PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

Aziz rejected the result and staged a sit-in outside the returning officer's office after his request for a recount was turned down. He alleged that the results had been tampered with and claimed, based on results held by his campaign, that he had won the constituency by 8,600 votes.

Aziz also alleged that the returning officer's bias had disrupted the peaceful environment in Haveli and claimed the constituency's mandate had been "stolen".

Latest results

According to the latest results announced by the AJK Election Commission and reported by Radio Pakistan, Awami Dast-o-Baazo candidate Sajid Iqbal Abbasi defeated former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan in LA-14 Bagh-I.

Sajid Iqbal secured 40,702 votes against Atiq Ahmed Khan's 19,542 in unofficial results from 213 of the constituency's 214 polling stations, giving him a lead of more than 21,000 votes.

With results available for 38 constituencies, the PML-N has secured 24 seats, the PPP 12 and Awami Dast-o-Baazo one, according to the latest available tally. The result of LA-16 remains pending.

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

The third phase, covering Bagh and Haveli, followed polling in the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions and is expected to influence the balance of power in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The latest tally puts the PML-N in a strong position to form the next AJK government, while the PPP has emerged as the second-largest political force. However, the final composition of the assembly will become clear only after the re-polling and completion of the remaining results.

Polling in seven constituencies of Poonch and Sudhnoti has also been postponed and will be held at a later date.

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.

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.