Polling is underway in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with voters casting their ballots across Mirpur Division. Voting is taking place peacefully at most polling stations, although an incident of violence was reported in Bhimber district.
Today’s elections are being held in 13 constituencies across the three districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber. A total of 296 candidates, representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istahkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and independent groups, are contesting the first phase of the elections.
According to election authorities, 1,401,439 registered voters are eligible to vote in the three districts. The electorate includes 725,118 male voters and 675,628 female voters, who are casting their ballots at designated polling stations throughout the division.
To facilitate the voting process, 2,454 polling stations have been established across Mirpur Division. These include 597 polling stations in Mirpur district, 1,107 in Kotli, and 608 in Bhimber, where security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth polling.
A violent incident was reported at the Baba Shadi Shaheed Shrine polling station in Bhimber, where miscreants allegedly snatched a ballot box and set it on fire during unrest. According to the District Returning Officer (DRO), the ballot box contained 232 cast votes at the time of the incident.
Election officials said the situation remains normal at all other polling stations across the region. Authorities have not yet decided whether re-polling will be conducted at the affected polling station, with a final decision expected after a detailed assessment.
Inspector General of Police Azad Kashmir Liaquat Ali Malik stated that police would take immediate action wherever law and order incidents occur, adding that no individual, including political workers, would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said the people of Azad Kashmir have demonstrated confidence in the democratic process by rejecting disruptive elements. He added that all state institutions remain fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections, warning that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process or public order.
