The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured one seat each as unofficial and unconfirmed results emerged on Wednesday from two constituencies of the Muzaffarabad Division in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections.
Polling was held on Tuesday in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II after voting in the two constituencies was postponed on August 2 due to adverse weather conditions.
The second phase of the AJK elections was conducted on Sunday across 19 of the 21 constituencies, including seven seats in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan.
According to unofficial and unconfirmed results from all 197 polling stations in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I, PML-N candidate Noreen Arif won the seat after securing 18,919 votes.
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Sardar Tabarak Ali finished second with 18,621 votes.
In LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, PPP candidate Bazil Ali Naqvi emerged victorious with 28,170 votes, while PML-N candidate Chaudhry Shehzad secured 26,864 votes to finish second, according to unofficial results from 174 polling stations.
With polling completed in the two constituencies where voting had been postponed, results for all 21 seats contested in the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections have now been announced.
Following the results, the PML-N’s tally rose to 15 seats, while the PPP secured six seats in the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections.
Polling in Poonch Division on August 10
An AJK Election Commission spokesperson said polling in all constituencies of the Poonch Division would be held as scheduled on August 10, urging voters not to pay attention to rumours.
The spokesperson advised voters to exercise their right to vote according to the announced schedule and said the Election Commission would promptly inform the public if any changes became necessary.
PPP alleges irregularities
PPP leader Sherry Rehman alleged that polling staff in LA-27 had been found at the residence of a PML-N supporter along with ballot papers.
Rehman said videos related to the alleged rigging had been submitted to the election authorities as evidence. She urged the AJK Election Commission to take immediate administrative and legal action, conduct a transparent investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
The PPP leader questioned why the polling staff concerned had continued performing election duties despite what she described as clear evidence of irregularities.
She said the alleged incidents had raised serious questions about the transparency and impartiality of the election, as well as the credibility of the institutions overseeing the electoral process.
Rehman also demanded that everyone responsible for influencing the electoral process be held accountable in accordance with the law.
PML-N rejects PPP allegations
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah rejected the PPP’s allegations, describing a video related to LA-27 as “fake” and part of a “disinformation campaign”.
Speaking to Geo News, Sanaullah said no complaints had been received regarding polling staff at any polling station.
He challenged the PPP to present any evidence it had before the election commission and questioned whether the party had filed any formal complaint against polling officials that would allow the commission to seek an explanation.
Sanaullah maintained that no complaints regarding polling staff had been received from any polling station since the morning.
He also accused the PPP of promoting a rigging narrative from the outset, insisting that allegations should be supported by evidence rather than political claims.