Polling concluded in two postponed Azad Jammu and Kashmir constituencies, while the PPP accused the PML-N of electoral irregularities. Election officials said the allegations require verified evidence.
ISLAMABAD: Voting concluded on Tuesday in two delayed constituencies of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) again accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of electoral rigging, allegations that were rejected by both election officials and the ruling party.
Polling was held in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla) and at 71 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) after voting scheduled for August 2 was postponed because of landslides and severe weather that blocked access roads.
The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases due to security considerations.
The first phase took place in Mirpur Division on July 27, where the PML-N won nine of the 13 seats, while the PPP secured the remaining four.
The second phase included polling in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. The third and final phase is scheduled for August 10, covering 11 constituencies in Poonch Division.
PPP Alleges Electoral Irregularities
The PPP submitted multiple complaints to the Election Commission, alleging irregularities during polling.
The party claimed polling staff were found with official ballot papers and polling bags at the residence of a PML-N supporter in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla). It also alleged ballot stuffing at polling stations in LA-28, obstruction of voters, and misconduct by polling officials.
In another complaint, the PPP accused PML-N workers of firing in the Bandi area of LA-28 to intimidate voters and discourage them from reaching polling stations.
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman said videos relating to the alleged irregularities had been submitted to the Election Commission and called for immediate legal and disciplinary action.
Election Commission official Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan said the commission had received videos submitted by a PPP worker but stated that the footage could not be treated as evidence without proper verification.
According to the official, the videos were “vague” and would require forensic authentication and supporting evidence before any conclusions could be drawn.
Minister of State for Interior and PML-N election coordinator for Poonch Division, Tallal Chaudhry, dismissed the PPP’s allegations and said the PML-N’s electoral performance reflected public confidence in its governance.
Speaking during a review meeting for the third phase of the elections, Chaudhry said the results demonstrated support for the federal and Punjab governments.
Responding to criticism from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, he said political leaders should accept election outcomes with dignity and refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations after defeat.
The latest accusations come amid growing political tensions between the coalition partners.
A day earlier, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned that the PML-N’s “countdown” had begun and said the PPP’s campaign for public rights would continue across the country.
Senior PPP leaders have recently repeated allegations of electoral manipulation in both the AJK elections and Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, despite the PPP and PML-N remaining partners in the federal coalition government.
The final phase of the AJK elections will be held on August 10 across 11 constituencies in Poonch Division.
The Election Commission is expected to continue reviewing complaints submitted by political parties, while the campaign rhetoric between the PPP and the PML-N is likely to intensify as the electoral process nears completion.
