The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) appeared set to win two constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division where polling had been postponed because of landslides and severe weather.
Voting took place in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla) and 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat). Earlier, authorities delayed polling after blocked roads disrupted access to voting stations.
According to unofficial results, PPP candidate Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi retained the LA-28 seat. He defeated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Chaudhry Shahzad Mehmood.
PPP Retains Lachhrat Seat
Polling had already taken place at 122 polling stations in the constituency on Sunday. However, the Election Commission ordered repolling at two stations following allegations that PPP workers removed ballot boxes.
Authorities also conducted polling at the remaining 52 stations where voting could not be held earlier. Previously, results from 120 polling stations had placed Naqvi ahead by only five votes.
His victory increased the PPP’s total to four seats in Muzaffarabad Division. Consequently, the party drew level with the PML-N in the region.
IPP Eyes First Assembly Seat
Meanwhile, polling was completed at all 197 polling stations in LA-27 Kotla. According to preliminary unofficial results from 115 stations, IPP’s Sardar Tabarak Ali led with 15,770 votes.
PML-N candidate Noreen Arif followed with 12,800 votes, while PPP’s Sardar Javed Ayoub secured 9,880 votes. If confirmed, the result will give the IPP its first seat in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
AJK elections are being conducted in three phases due to security concerns. The final phase of polling in Poonch Division is scheduled for August 10.
