WEB DESK: Polling for the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections concluded in Mirpur Division amid allegations of rigging, incidents of violence and concerns over voter turnout.
Although the polling process was largely described as peaceful, one person was killed in firing in the LA-9 Nikyal constituency.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) alleged that its worker Mukhtar Younis, son of Kamran, was killed following an incident involving alleged display of weapons and intimidation of voters by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.
Mirpur Division, comprising the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber, includes 13 constituencies where 288 candidates from PPP, PML-N, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, other political groups and independent candidates contested the elections.
A total of 2,316 polling stations were established across the division, with 1,401,439 registered voters eligible to cast their votes.
During polling, PPP and PML-N exchanged allegations against each other, with both parties accusing their rivals of attempting to influence the electoral process.
In Mirpur district, voter participation was reported to be comparatively better in the LA-3 city constituency. Several polling stations, including those at Government Pilot High School No 2 and Ghazi Elahi Bakhsh Ward No 4, witnessed stronger voter activity.
However, lower turnout was reported in Bhimber and Kotli districts. In Bhimber, participation in LA-5 Barnala, LA-6 Samahni and LA-7 Bhimber constituencies remained limited, with local estimates suggesting turnout did not cross 50 per cent.
Kotli district reportedly recorded the lowest voter participation among the three districts, with several polling stations witnessing limited activity. A significant number of residents from Kotli had travelled to Rawalakot to participate in the ongoing protest movement.
The elections were held as the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee continued preparations for a long march towards Muzaffarabad after negotiations with the government failed.
The committee, which emerged in 2023 with a 38-point charter of demands, had secured acceptance of several demands, including reductions in flour and electricity prices, following a long march in May 2024.
However, unresolved demands include ending elite privileges, electoral reforms and abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The committee later announced another march, after which tensions escalated following clashes between protesters and security forces.
Protesters have remained camped at several locations in Rawalakot, demanding withdrawal of the ban on the committee, compensation for families of those killed and cancellation of cases registered against demonstrators.
Police officials said security arrangements were in place at all polling stations and Quick Response Force teams were deployed to deal with any emergency situation.
The AJK inspector general of police said minor altercations were common during elections but warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process, regardless of political affiliation.
Regarding voter turnout, he said participation generally increased later in the day, with many voters arriving closer to the closing time of polling.
The AJK Election Commission decided to conduct the elections in three phases due to the ongoing protest situation. After the completion of polling in Mirpur Division, elections in Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions will be held on August 2 and August 10, respectively.
