- Delayed results complete second phase of AJK polls.
- Number of PML-N seats rises to 15 seats in AJK.
- Third phase of AJK polls to be held on August 10.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured one seat each as unofficial and unconfirmed results emerged on Wednesday from two Muzaffarabad Division constituencies in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections.
Polling was held on Tuesday in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II after voting was postponed on August 2 due to adverse weather conditions.
The second phase of the AJK polls was conducted on Sunday across 19 of the 21 constituencies, comprising seven seats in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan.
According to unofficial and unconfirmed results from all 197 polling stations in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I, the PML-N’s Noreen Arif won the seat with 18,919 votes.
The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party’s (IPP) Sardar Tabarak Ali finished second with 18,621 votes.
In LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, PPP’s Bazil Ali Naqvi secured victory with 28,170 votes while PML-N’s Chaudhry Shehzad finished second with 26,864, according to unofficial results of 174 polling stations.
With voting completed in the two postponed constituencies, results for all 21 seats contested in the second phase of the elections have now been announced.
Following the announcement of results, the number of PML-N’s seats rose to 15, while the PPP secured 6 seats in the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections.
Polling in Poonch Division on 10th
In a statement, an AJK Election Commission spokesperson said polling in all constituencies of Poonch Division would be held as scheduled on August 10 and urged voters not to pay attention to rumours.
The spokesperson advised voters to exercise their right to vote according to the announced schedule, adding that the Election Commission would promptly inform the public if any changes became necessary.
PPP cries foul
PPP leader Sherry Rehman alleged that polling staff in LA-27 had been found at the house of a PML-N supporter along with ballot papers.
She said videos related to the alleged rigging had been submitted to election authorities as evidence and urged the AJK Election Commission to initiate immediate administrative and legal action, conduct a transparent investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
The PPP leader said that it is highly questionable that the polling staff concerned had continued performing election duties despite what she described as clear evidence of irregularities.
Rehman said the incidents had raised serious questions over the transparency and impartiality of the election, as well as the credibility of the institutions overseeing the process.
She also demanded that all those responsible for influencing the electoral process be held accountable in accordance with the law.
PML-N rejects allegations
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah rejected the PPP’s allegations, saying a “fake video” related to LA-27 had been circulated as part of a “disinformation campaign”.
Speaking to Geo News, he said no complaints had been received regarding polling staff at any polling station. He challenged the PPP to present any evidence it had before the election commission, asking whether the party had filed any formal complaint against polling officials to enable the commission to seek an explanation.
Sanaullah said no complaints had been received regarding polling staff at any polling station since the morning.
He also accused the PPP of promoting a rigging narrative from the outset, insisting that allegations should be backed by evidence rather than political claims.
