MUZAFFARABAD: Polling is under way in four constituencies in two districts of Azad Kashmir on Tuesday as the third phase of the region’s general elections gets under way.
More than 460,000 voters are eligible to cast their ballots. A total of 82 candidates are contesting the four seats.
Voters are choosing representatives in three constituencies in Bagh district and one constituency in Haveli district.
Polling began at 8 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m., according to the Election Commission. Officials will count votes after polling ends and announce unofficial results. Formal results will follow later.
Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is contesting the Haveli seat on a Pakistan Peoples Party ticket. He faces Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz.
The contest is being closely watched across the region.
Election officials said polling staff, security personnel and election material had reached the polling stations. Authorities have deployed additional security to ensure peaceful and transparent voting.
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said authorities decided to hold elections first in Bagh and Haveli because of security concerns and prevailing conditions.
He said authorities could announce dates for elections in seven constituencies in Rawalakot and Sudhanoti within the next seven days. Officials would give candidates adequate time to campaign, he added.
AJK Elections Key contests
In Bagh’s LA-14 constituency, former prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan is seeking re-election. He won the seat in 2021 with 25,389 votes.
He faces Sardar Sajid Iqbal of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu. The Jamaat-e-Islami has also announced support for Iqbal.
In Bagh’s LA-15 Central constituency, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas won the 2021 election with 19,825 votes. Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Sardar Zia Qamar finished second with 14,558 votes.
The contest has changed significantly this time. Ilyas is running on the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party platform, while Qamar is again contesting on a PPP ticket.
PML-N has fielded Mushtaq Minhas, while Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated retired Brigadier Dr Mohammad Khan. Four major candidates are competing in the constituency.
In Bagh’s LA-16 Eastern constituency, Sardar Mir Akbar won in 2021 with 23,563 votes. PPP candidate Sardar Qamar Zaman came second with 23,267 votes.
Akbar is now contesting on a PML-N ticket. He faces Qamar Zaman again in what is expected to be a close contest.
In Haveli’s LA-17 constituency, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore won the 2021 election with 30,085 votes. PML-N candidate Chaudhry Aziz finished second with 25,421 votes.
Rathore is again contesting the seat. He faces Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz, the son of the late Chaudhry Aziz.
Independent candidate Khawaja Tariq Saeed, a former PPP member, is also contesting the seat.
The Haveli contest has drawn attention across AJK, with a close race expected between Rathore and Mohsin Aziz.
First two phases
Voting has already taken place in 34 constituencies during the first two phases of the AJK elections.
PML-N won 24 of those seats and secured a simple majority. PPP won 10 seats and finished second.
Other political parties failed to win any seats in the first two phases.
Authorities postponed elections in seven constituencies in Rawalakot and Sudhanoti because of security concerns.
Officials are expected to complete the government formation process after the results of Tuesday’s polling. The remaining seven constituencies could then go to by-elections.
