PML-N Emerges as Largest Party After Three Phases of Voting
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has emerged as the dominant political force in the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections after three phases of polling.
Following repolling in parts of Bagh on August 15, the PML-N’s tally stands at 25 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party has secured 12 seats. Another seat was won by Sajid Iqbal Abbasi of the Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party.
Voting has so far been completed in 38 of the 45 directly elected constituencies.
Seven constituencies remain undecided after polling was postponed because of security and law-and-order concerns. Those seats are mainly located in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.
The PML-N is therefore in a commanding position to form the next AJK government once the remaining elections and allocation of reserved seats are completed.
The party had already built a strong advantage during the first two phases before extending its tally during voting in Bagh and Haveli.
The result represents a major political comeback for the PML-N in AJK, where it is expected to return to government after roughly a decade.
The PPP remains the second-largest party with 12 seats.
No independent candidate has emerged as a winner in the completed phases.
The political balance could still change slightly once voting takes place in the remaining seven constituencies, but the PML-N currently holds a substantial advantage over its rivals.
Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Refugee Seats Drive PML-N Advantage
The PML-N established its early lead during the first phase of polling in Mirpur division.
The party won nine of the 13 seats contested in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber during the opening phase.
It strengthened its position further during the second phase, which covered Muzaffarabad division and the constituencies representing refugees.
By the end of the first two phases, the PML-N had secured 24 of the 34 seats decided at that stage.
The third phase was originally scheduled to cover all 11 constituencies of Poonch division.
However, authorities allowed voting to proceed only in Bagh and Haveli because of security concerns.
Polling in five constituencies of Poonch district and two in Sudhnoti was postponed.
The third phase produced important results for both major parties.
PPP candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar won LA-15 Central Bagh after repolling, defeating PML-N candidate Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas.
PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar won LA-16 Eastern Bagh following repolling at 14 stations.
Those results brought the PML-N total to 25 and the PPP tally to 12.
In LA-14 Bagh-I, Sajid Iqbal Abbasi of the Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party secured a major victory.
Dawn reported that Abbasi later decided to support the PML-N, potentially strengthening the party’s position further when the assembly is formed.
PPP leader and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was also declared the returned candidate from LA-17 Haveli, although his victory has faced a challenge from his PML-N rival.
Election Controversies and Violence Overshadow PML-N Victory
Despite the PML-N’s strong electoral performance, the election process has been overshadowed by serious political tensions and allegations of irregularities.
The polls were divided into multiple phases because of security concerns and unrest in several areas.
Violent clashes, road closures and internet disruptions affected parts of AJK during the election period.
The Pakistan Peoples Party has repeatedly accused the PML-N of electoral irregularities and questioned aspects of the voting process.
PML-N leaders have rejected the allegations and maintained that their victories reflect voter support.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which won the previous AJK elections, boycotted the 2026 contest over allegations concerning the electoral process.
Political unrest has been particularly serious around Rawalakot and other parts of Poonch division.
The Joint Awami Action Committee has also opposed aspects of the electoral system, particularly the arrangement involving 12 constituencies representing refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir.
Government authorities have rejected allegations that the refugee constituencies are being used to manipulate the political balance.
Security concerns eventually forced election authorities to postpone voting in seven constituencies that were originally scheduled for the third phase.
Dates for those contests have yet to be finalised.
Once voting in the remaining constituencies is completed, the final party position will determine the distribution of reserved seats and the complete composition of the 53-member Legislative Assembly.
For now, the PML-N remains clearly ahead with 25 elected seats and is widely expected to lead the formation of the next AJK government.
