Lead

The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative elections took place on Sunday, with polling held in eight out of the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, as reported by Dawn. The election process saw over 300 candidates contesting 21 seats, with more than 340 candidates in the fray according to an earlier report from the same outlet.

Polling began at 8am and continued until 5pm for the refugee seats, while the process concluded at 6pm in Muzaffarabad after an hour-long extension. The electoral process in LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed due to heavy rain, according to AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, as reported by Dawn. Additionally, polling in 52 of the 147 polling stations of LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was also postponed until August 4 due to a landslide, according to another Dawn report.

Coverage comparison

Dawn's coverage of the election provided detailed statistical data ahead of the vote. According to the AJK Election Commission, as cited by Dawn, 207 candidates were in the fray for the nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division, comprising five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. Another 137 candidates were contesting the 12 refugee constituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu. A total of 809,621 voters were registered in Muzaffarabad division, including 427,955 men and 381,666 women. The 12 refugee constituencies had a combined electorate of 438,834, comprising 247,776 male and 191,054 female voters.

The same source reported that 1,483 polling stations were established across Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 were declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive, and 209 normal. Another 1,057 polling stations were set up for the 12 refugee constituencies. Out of the 12 refugee seats, seven were in Punjab, one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the remaining four split between various provinces and territories, as detailed in one Dawn article.

Dawn's reporting also highlighted logistical pre-election measures, including the suspension of internet services on Friday, less than 45 hours after being restored, as part of efforts to discourage elements attempting to disrupt the election process. Official sources said services were likely to be restored on Sunday, according to a Dawn report.

Key claims

  • The second phase of the AJK elections began on Sunday morning, with polling held in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, as reported by Dawn.
  • Over 300 candidates were vying for nine Muzaffarabad seats and 12 seats for refugees settled in different regions, according to Dawn.
  • The electoral process in LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed due to heavy rain, as announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, cited by Dawn.
  • Polling in 52 polling stations of LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was postponed until August 4 due to a landslide, according to Dawn.
  • Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accused the PML-N of "robbing" votes in the second phase of the AJK elections, in a post on X, as reported by Dawn.
  • The PPP alleged electoral malpractices at some polling stations in at least 11 constituencies, with the party claiming its polling agents were not allowed to perform duties at some polling stations in LA-30, LA-32, and LA-34, according to Dawn.
  • Bilawal condemned an "attack" on party's regional president Chaudhry Latif Akbar, also the candidate for LA-31, accusing "miscreant elements of the PML-N" and saying PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency, as cited by Dawn.
  • The PML-N disputed the PPP claim regarding the death, saying the man died from heart failure, not a bullet injury, as reported by Dawn.
  • The PPP shared a complaint with the Election Commission regarding a "physical assault" on Akbar, stating an FIR was being registered and urging an inquiry into the "security lapse," according to Dawn.

Perspectives

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused the PML-N of "robbing" votes through "bullets, batons and coercion" and alleged electoral malpractices at several polling stations. The party also reported an attack on its regional president and the killing of a party worker, demanding arrests and an inquiry.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)

The PML-N disputed the PPP's claim regarding the death in Muzaffarabad, asserting that the man died from heart failure rather than a bullet injury.

AJK Election Commission

The Election Commission postponed polling in LA-27 due to heavy rain and in parts of LA-28 due to a landslide, with polling in those areas rescheduled for August 4.