Polling for the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections began on Monday in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts, with more than 460,000 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots.
Polling commenced at 8am and will continue uninterrupted until 5pm, according to Election Commission officials.
The third phase is being held in LA-14, LA-15, LA-16 and LA-17, where 82 candidates are contesting the polls. A close contest is expected between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
However, polling in constituencies of Poonch and Sudhanoti districts has been postponed due to the prevailing law and order situation.
The AJK Election Commission revised the schedule for the third phase, which was originally scheduled to cover 11 seats across four districts of the Poonch Division. The commission said polling in the affected constituencies would be held on a new date to be announced after a review of the security situation.
The first two phases of the AJK elections were held on July 27 and August 2 in the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions, respectively.
According to provisional and unofficial results, the PML-N has emerged as the leading party. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has claimed that the party has secured a simple majority and is in a position to form the next government in Azad Kashmir.
In the second phase, polling was held in 21 constituencies, including nine seats in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. Unofficial results showed the PML-N winning 15 seats and the PPP securing six.
In the first phase, the PML-N won nine constituencies while the PPP secured four, according to provisional results.
The elections have been marred by allegations of rigging and violence. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described the polls as neither free nor fair and alleged widespread irregularities.
The PML-N has rejected the allegations. Mr Sanaullah challenged the PPP to present evidence before the Election Commission, saying claims of rigging should be backed by proof rather than political assertions.
