The third and final phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections will take place on August 10. Polling will be held across four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli districts, completing the election process.
The campaign for the final phase will conclude on Saturday, as 72 candidates compete for four seats.
Several prominent political figures are also contesting the final phase, adding further interest to the closely watched polls.
72 Candidates Contest Four AJK Seats
In constituency LA-14, former prime minister Sardar Attique Khan is among 21 candidates seeking election. Meanwhile, LA-15 Bagh has attracted 20 candidates, including former prime minister Tanveer Ilyas.
A total of 22 candidates are contesting LA-16. In LA-17, nine candidates are competing, including incumbent AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore.
Therefore, voters across the four constituencies will choose their representatives from a field of 72 candidates.
More Than 460,000 Voters Eligible
Election authorities have established 803 polling stations and 1,254 polling booths for the final phase. More than 8,000 security personnel will also be deployed across the four constituencies.
The security arrangements aim to ensure a smooth and orderly polling process across the constituencies.
Meanwhile, 460,371 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots during the August 10 polling. The final phase will therefore bring the three-stage election process to its conclusion.
PML-N Holds Majority After First Two Phases
The first two phases of the AJK elections have already concluded.
Based on unofficial and unconfirmed results, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has secured a simple majority in the 53-member Legislative Assembly.
The PML-N has won 24 of the 34 seats contested during the first two phases. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party candidates have secured 10 seats.
The AJK Legislative Assembly has 53 members in total, including 45 directly elected seats and eight reserved seats.
Reserved Seats Could Shape Final Assembly
The eight reserved seats include five seats for women. The remaining reserved seats cover ulema and mashaikh, technocrats and overseas Kashmiris, with one seat allocated to each category.
Based on the unofficial results available so far, the PML-N is expected to secure three of the five reserved seats for women.
It is also expected to secure the reserved seats for ulema and mashaikh, technocrats and overseas Kashmiris. Meanwhile, the PPP is likely to secure one reserved seat for women.
These projections remain based on unofficial results and could change with the completion of the electoral process.
Final Polling to Complete AJK Election Process
The August 10 polling will mark the final stage of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Voters in Bagh and Haveli will therefore play the final role in completing the electoral process.
With four constituencies still to be decided, the final phase will determine the remaining directly elected seats. The outcome will complete the process of forming the 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly.
