PML-N Secures Early Lead in Mirpur Division
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz secured four seats as unofficial results emerged from the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.
The Pakistan Peoples Party won two seats while counting continued in the remaining constituencies.
The first phase covered 13 constituencies across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts.
All results remained unofficial and unconfirmed until formal notification by the AJK Election Commission.
PPP candidate Qasim Majeed won LA-2 Mirpur-II with 12,904 votes.
He defeated PML-N candidate Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry, who received 8,182 votes.
In LA-1 Mirpur-I, PML-N candidate Azhar Sadiq secured victory with 15,427 votes.
PPP candidate Muhammad Afser Shahid finished second with 9,832 votes.
PPP candidate Chaudhry Yasir Sultan won LA-3 Mirpur-III after receiving 11,676 votes.
His PML-N rival, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, secured 9,832 votes.
PML-N candidate Rukhsar Ahmed won LA-4 Mirpur-IV with 20,172 votes.
PPP candidate Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad received 13,865 votes.
In LA-9 Kotli-II, PML-N candidate Umair Niazi secured 31,080 votes.
PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi finished behind him with 28,509 votes.
PML-N candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq won LA-7 Bhimber-III with 35,490 votes.
Independent candidate Chaudhry Anwarul Haq received 25,100 votes.
One Killed as Violence Overshadows Voting
The voting process was overshadowed by a deadly shooting in LA-9 Kotli-II, Nakyal.
Police confirmed that one person was killed and three others were injured.
Polling was suspended at the affected station after the shooting.
PPP candidate Javed Budhanvi identified the deceased as party worker Mukhtar Younis.
His body was taken to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed grief and offered condolences to the victim’s family.
He alleged that supporters of PML-N candidate Umair Niazi opened fire.
The allegation had not been independently established at the time of reporting.
Bilawal demanded action from the Election Commission and security authorities.
He warned that disputed elections could weaken the mandate of the next AJK government.
Another serious incident was reported at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station in LA-6 Bhimber.
The district returning officer said individuals snatched a ballot box and set it on fire.
The ballot box reportedly contained 232 votes.
Authorities said legal action would be taken against those responsible.
A decision on possible re-polling at the affected station will be announced later.
PML-N Calls Polling Peaceful as PPP Alleges Rigging
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah described the overall polling process as largely peaceful.
He acknowledged minor disputes but said only one major violent incident had been reported.
Sanaullah said the election arrangements were generally satisfactory.
Polling began at 8am and was originally scheduled to close at 5pm.
The Election Commission extended voting by one hour, allowing ballots to be cast until 6pm.
The PPP rejected the PML-N’s positive assessment.
Its leaders alleged federal interference, misuse of government resources and attempts to influence polling.
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman accused the PML-N of trying to make the elections controversial.
Senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan called for a free and transparent process without federal involvement.
The PML-N and PPP are coalition partners at the federal level but remain direct rivals in the AJK elections.
More than 1.4 million voters were eligible to participate in the first phase.
A total of 296 candidates contested the 13 seats, according to election figures reported during the count.
The Election Commission established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division.
Security personnel were deployed across the region to protect voters, election staff and polling material.
The remaining results were expected to determine whether the PML-N could expand its early lead.
The PPP was also seeking additional victories after securing two of the first declared seats.
Official results will be confirmed after the Election Commission completes verification and notification procedures.
