PML-N Claims Strong Lead in AJK Elections as Shehbaz Sharif Hails Public Mandate
Prime minister says the party’s gains reflect public confidence, while the PPP alleges rigging and violence during the second phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.
PML-N leaders celebrate after unofficial results of the second phase of AJK Elections.
ISLAMABAD — AJK Elections entered a decisive stage after unofficial results from the second phase showed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) securing 14 of the 18 seats contested on Sunday, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to congratulate the party’s leadership and successful candidates.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif said the party’s continued success reflected the leadership of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and the efforts of the party’s election campaign team. He described the outcome as a sign of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s confidence in the party’s policies and reaffirmed that development, prosperity and public welfare would remain the government’s priorities.
More than 100 words into the latest developments, AJK Elections also witnessed renewed political controversy as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) accused the PML-N of electoral irregularities, rigging and violence during polling. The PML-N rejected the allegations, insisting the elections were conducted democratically and urging the PPP to pursue legal channels instead of questioning the electoral process.
PML-N Strengthens Position
According to unofficial results announced by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission, the PML-N won 14 seats, while the PPP secured four seats in the second phase.
Combined with the results of the first phase, where the PML-N won nine of 13 seats, the ruling party has now secured 23 seats in the 45-member Legislative Assembly, according to PML-N leaders.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the party had achieved the simple majority required to form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He stated that the PML-N had won 10 of the 12 refugee seats contested in the second phase, while the PPP won the remaining two.
Polling Delayed in Two Constituencies
Election authorities postponed polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kutla) and at 71 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) because polling staff and election materials could not reach several areas due to landslides and road closures caused by bad weather.
Voting in those locations is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
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PPP Raises Allegations
The PPP continued to allege electoral misconduct, claiming incidents of violence, interference at polling stations and security failures.
AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker and PPP candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar called for an investigation after alleging an attempt on his life during polling. The Election Commission had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, the PPP also claimed one of its workers died during clashes with PML-N supporters in Muzaffarabad. The PML-N denied responsibility, saying the individual suffered a cardiac arrest following a scuffle. Independent verification of either claim was not immediately available.
Violence and Low Turnout
Clashes between supporters of the two major parties were reported in several constituencies, with some incidents involving gunfire. Despite isolated disturbances, polling continued across most constituencies under security arrangements.
Voting for refugee seats was also held at polling stations across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad. Turnout in several locations remained low, with some polling stations recording very few voters.
The third and final phase of the AJK Elections will cover 11 constituencies in Poonch Division, after which the full composition of the Legislative Assembly will be determined.
