Key Takeaways
- PML-N ahead in most refugee and territorial constituencies.
- PPP wins two territorial seats, two refugee seats.
- Polling postponed in LA-27 and LA-28 due to landslides.
People received ballot papers from election officials as they waited to cast their votes at polling stations during the second phase of elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly. The PML-N appeared well-placed to consolidate its lead over the PPP, with unofficial results showing it ahead in most contests.
By late Sunday night, the Election Commission had officially notified results from five refugee constituencies, four of which were won by the PML-N and one by the PPP. Unofficial results suggested that the PML-N had secured victory in 10 out of 12 refugee constituencies and at least two of the seven territorial constituencies.
The PPP was reported to have won two territorial seats and two refugee seats, but official confirmation is pending for these unofficial results.
Polling was originally scheduled in nine territorial constituencies — five in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts — besides all 12 refugee constituencies. However, the Election Commission deferred polling in LA-27, Muzaffarabad-I (Kutla), until Tuesday due to landslides and bad weather that blocked the Neelum Valley road and its link roads.
Polling at 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) was also postponed until Tuesday for the same reason. Voting continued as scheduled in the remaining polling stations of this constituency.
Sporadic clashes were reported in parts of Muzaffarabad city, with attempts to disrupt polling in some neighbourhoods. In LA-31, Muzaffarabad-V (Khawra), clashes between workers of the PML-N and PPP were reported in Union Council Katkair.
PPP candidate and Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar alleged security lapses, firing incidents, interference in polling, prevention of polling agents from entering polling stations, and denial of voting rights. He also claimed there had been an attempt on his life.
The PML-N rejected the allegation, claiming that Syed Mushtaq Shah, a PPP worker, suffered a cardiac arrest following a scuffle between two groups. There was no independent confirmation of either claim.
