AJK Elections: Ballot Stamping Allegations Emerge Amid Counting
At a glance
- Preliminary results show PML-N leading with 14 seats, PPP with 5.
- Allegations of ballot stamping and electoral fraud have emerged in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I.
- The Election Commission has not yet verified the allegations or issued an official statement.
Story so far
Preliminary results from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections indicate the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is leading with 14 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured 5 seats. The Election Commission has announced these results. The election has been marred by allegations of rigging and a violent incident at a polling station. Political friction between PML-N and PPP, who are federal coalition partners, has been highlighted by mutual accusations of corruption and electoral malpractice. Atta Tarar has urged the PPP to accept the AJK election results, while Naz Baloch has reportedly responded to the PML-N victory in the initial phases of the AJK elections.
Latest development
Allegations of large-scale electoral fraud, including ballot stamping, have emerged from LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I during the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. Videos reportedly showing irregularities have gone viral, though their authenticity is unverified by the Election Commission.
Latest updates
A new controversy has erupted over the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections following allegations of large-scale electoral fraud in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I. Clips circulating on social media reportedly show ballot papers being stamped inside a polling station.
Local leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have made allegations, stating that Polling Station No. 92 (Forest Mandal), Municipal Committee Pattika, was allegedly used for fraudulent voting. The party claimed that individuals associated with a rival party openly stamped ballot papers while the presiding officer was away. A PPP candidate from LA-27 Kotla reportedly caught the alleged perpetrators and submitted video evidence and a formal complaint to the Election Commission.
Videos documenting the alleged irregularities have gone viral, leading to calls for an impartial investigation. However, the authenticity of the footage and the allegations has not been independently verified, and the Election Commission has not yet issued an official statement. Polling resumed on Tuesday at 57 polling stations in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II after being postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The electoral process is ongoing, with the third and final phase scheduled for August 10 across 11 constituencies in the Poonch Division.
Naz Baloch has reportedly responded to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) victory in the initial phases of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections.
Atta Tarar has urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to accept the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) election results with an open heart.
Unofficial results from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections now indicate that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured 14 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won 5 seats. The Election Commission has announced the results.
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