PML-N, PPP Poised to Win One Seat Each in AJK By-Elections

Unofficial results from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir by-elections indicate that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates are poised to secure one seat each in the two constituencies of Muzaffarabad division. Polling for these seats, LA-27 Kutla and LA-28 Lachhrat, was held on Tuesday after being deferred due to landslides and adverse weather conditions that blocked roads and prevented the timely dispatch of election materials.

In constituency LA-27 Kutla, where polling was entirely postponed and held at all 197 stations on Tuesday, PML-N candidate Noreen Arif holds a narrow lead over Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Sardar Tabarak Ali, with fewer than 200 votes separating them. PML-N leaders have expressed confidence that the inclusion of votes cast by government employees on election duty will further consolidate Ms. Arif’s lead.

For LA-28 Lachhrat, PPP candidate Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi is maintaining a slender lead over his PML-N rival, Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood. Polling had initially been held at 122 of the constituency’s 174 polling stations on Sunday. However, following allegations that PPP workers had taken away ballot boxes, the Election Commission ordered repolling at two of those stations, along with polling at the remaining 52 stations where voting could not be held.

Voting concluded at 5 PM amid reports of scuffles and sporadic firing between rival political workers. While both constituencies witnessed allegations of irregularities, the PPP focused most of its criticism on LA-27, while the PML-N leveled serious allegations regarding polling in LA-28. An AJK speaker has also alleged 14,000 fake votes after a defeat and sought a forensic vote audit in Khawra. Talal Chaudhry has also commented on the situation.

Unofficial and partial results have been reported for by-elections in two Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly constituencies in Muzaffarabad.

In constituency LA-27 Kotla, based on results from 76 out of 197 polling stations, Sardar Tabarak of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is reportedly in the lead with 11,101 votes. Noreen Arif of the Muslim Conference is in second position with 7,699 votes.

In constituency LA-28, unofficial results from 146 out of 174 polling stations show Bazil Naqvi of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ahead with 24,648 votes. Chaudhry Shahzad of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is reported to be in second place with 21,965 votes.

These results are preliminary and official confirmation is awaited. Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.

The Azad Kashmir election row has deepened, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) specifically alleging rigging related to FORM 47. A PPP leader has accused federal ministers of election rigging. In response, Rana Sanaullah has stated that the AJK elections were peaceful and fair. Additionally, Sehar Kamran has criticized PML-N, referencing a viral video by Rabia Pirzada.

New developments in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections include reports that Sardar Tabarak is leading in LA-27 Muzaffarabad. Concerns have been raised by Sherry Rehman regarding the LA-27 elections. Additionally, PML-N's Kheal Das Kohistani has responded to rigging claims made by Bilawal Bhutto, while a video allegedly showing PML-N rigging has gone viral.

MUZAFFARABAD: Polling has concluded in two constituencies of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, LA-27 and LA-28, with the counting of votes now underway.

The polling in these areas was originally scheduled for August 2 but was postponed to August 4 due to bad weather and road blockages, according to available reports.

The election has been marked by political tensions as federal coalition partners, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have traded accusations of rigging.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reportedly issued a statement suggesting the "countdown has begun" for the federal government, indicating friction within the ruling alliance. However, reports also suggest that the PML-N remains confident that the PPP will continue to be part of the coalition government.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured enough seats to form the next Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government, having won 23 of the 45 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, giving it a simple majority.

Separately, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also accused the PML-N and the Election Commission of electoral wrongdoing. Memon alleged that ballot papers were provided to PML-N candidates before polling and claimed that complaints raised by AJK’s top elected leadership were not properly addressed.