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 across 20 of the 21 constituencies in 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. Strict security arrangements have been put in place for the electoral process.
According to Election Commission officials, polling began at 8am and will continue uninterrupted until 5pm. Votes are being cast for nine constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies.
A close contest is expected between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). A total of 208 candidates are contesting the Muzaffarabad Division seats, while 143 candidates are in the race for the refugee constituencies.
More than 1.2 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots. The Election Commission has established 1,483 polling stations and 2,219 polling booths, while LA-28, LA-29 and LA-31 have been declared highly sensitive constituencies.
Polling Postponed 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 called on the AJK Election Commission to take notice of the delays, while the party also submitted a formal complaint alleging that election staff had not reached 71 polling stations in LA-28 on time. The party urged authorities to deploy staff immediately, extend polling hours to compensate for lost time and investigate the administrative lapse.
Polling Continues at Refugee Constituencies
Polling is also underway for 12 refugee constituencies across Pakistan, including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Pasrur, Narowal, Kasur, Ali Pur Chattha, Mandi Bahauddin, Ferozewala, Multan, Bahawalnagar and Larkana, where voters are casting their ballots.
Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged citizens to exercise their right to vote, saying all arrangements had been made 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.
