The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured a simple majority in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly after winning one of the two constituencies where polling was postponed due to adverse weather.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) claimed victory in the second delayed constituency, according to unofficial and provisional election results announced on Wednesday.
Polling Delayed Due to Bad Weather
Voting in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was originally scheduled for August 2. However, authorities postponed polling because severe weather and landslides affected 57 polling stations across the Muzaffarabad division.
After conditions improved, polling was completed and unofficial results from both constituencies were released.
PML-N Wins LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I
According to complete unofficial results from all 197 polling stations, PML-N candidate Noreen Arif won LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I with 18,919 votes.
The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party’s Sardar Tabarak Ali finished second after securing 18,621 votes.
Meanwhile, PPP candidate Javed Ayub received 18,037 votes, placing third in the closely contested constituency.
The victory proved crucial for the PML-N, as it strengthened the party’s overall position in the assembly.
PPP Secures Victory in LA-28
In LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, the PPP emerged victorious through candidate Bazil Ali Naqvi.
According to unofficial results from all 174 polling stations, Naqvi secured 28,214 votes.
PML-N candidate Chaudhry Shehzad Mahmood finished second with 26,866 votes.
As a result, the PPP added another important seat to its tally in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
PML-N Reaches Majority in Assembly
Following the latest results, the PML-N now holds 24 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Consequently, the party has secured a simple majority, enabling it to form the next government.
The PPP, meanwhile, has increased its strength to 10 seats.
Earlier results from the Muzaffarabad division had already placed the PML-N in a commanding position. The party won 15 of the division’s 21 seats, while the PPP secured the remaining six seats.
Election Process Yet to Conclude
Although the latest results have clarified the current political picture, the election process has not ended.
Polling in 11 constituencies of Poonch division is scheduled for August 10.
Therefore, while the remaining seats are still to be decided, the PML-N has already achieved the numbers required for a simple majority in the AJK Legislative Assembly based on the latest unofficial and provisional results.
