Summary Polling is underway across 20 constituencies in the second phase of AJK elections after voting in one seat was postponed due to heavy rain and landslides.
MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) - Polling is underway in 20 of the 21 constituencies during the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, while voting in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I has been postponed due to heavy rain and landslides. Tight security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a peaceful polling process.
According to Election Commission officials, polling began at 8am and will continue without interruption until 5pm. Voters are casting ballots for nine constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies.
A closely contested race is expected between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). A total of 208 candidates are contesting seats in the Muzaffarabad Division, while 143 candidates are competing for the refugee constituencies.
More than 1.2 million registered voters are eligible to vote. The Election Commission has established 1,483 polling stations and 2,219 polling booths, with LA-28, LA-29 and LA-31 declared highly sensitive. Security has been strengthened with eight personnel deployed at highly sensitive polling stations, six at sensitive stations, and four at normal polling stations.
Polling deferred in LA-27
Polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I was postponed after election staff were unable to reach polling stations because of heavy rainfall and landslides. Election personnel had also not reached several polling stations in LA-31 by the scheduled start of voting.
The PPP urged the AJK Election Commission to take notice of the delays and ensure timely polling arrangements.
PPP files complaint over staff delay
The PPP also submitted a written complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that election staff failed to reach 71 polling stations in LA-28 before polling began.
The party said the delay prevented voting from starting on time, causing inconvenience to voters and raising concerns that many could be deprived of exercising their right to vote. It called for the immediate deployment of polling staff, an extension of polling hours to compensate for lost time, proper documentation of the affected polling stations and action against those responsible for the administrative lapse.
Polling continues at refugee constituencies
Polling is also underway for 12 refugee constituencies across Pakistan, with voters casting ballots in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Pasrur, Narowal, Kasur, Ali Pur Chattha, Mandi Bahauddin, Ferozewala, Multan, Bahawalnagar and Larkana.
Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged citizens to exercise their democratic right, saying all arrangements had been completed to ensure peaceful, transparent and fair elections. The Election Commission said the third phase of the AJK elections will be held in the Poonch Division on August 10.
