The election atmosphere in Azad Jammu and Kashmir turned tense after police arrested an Istiqlal Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate over alleged election-related violence. Authorities accused the candidate of attacking a polling station and setting it on fire during the AJK elections.
Police identified the suspect as Chaudhry Ali Shan Soni, who contested from LA-6 Bhimber-II Samahni. They registered a case against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act, alleging that he burned ballot papers and disrupted the polling process.
According to officials, Soni’s son has also been taken into custody. Meanwhile, police have launched raids to arrest other individuals allegedly involved in the unrest.
Police Launch Crackdown After Election Violence
Authorities confirmed that 20 suspects have already been arrested in connection with the riots. They added that investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend the remaining accused.
The District Magistrate of Bhimber alleged that the suspects came from Punjab and created panic at several polling stations. Officials further claimed they set fire to ballot boxes and interfered with the election process.
Sources also reported an alleged firing incident at the Chowki Civil Dispensary polling station. During the chaos, reports suggested that unidentified individuals took away a ballot box.
Polling Controversies Continue Across AJK
Chaudhry Ali Shan Soni secured 17,974 votes in the LA-6 Samahni constituency and finished in second place. Earlier, the District Magistrate had warned against attempts to disrupt peaceful polling in the constituency.
The latest incident adds to several controversies reported during the first phase of elections in the Mirpur division. These included clashes in Nakyal, the suspension and arrest of presiding officers in Kotli, and allegations of rigging in LA-10 Kotli raised by Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah.
