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Second phase of the 2026 AJK elections under way across Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee constituencies, with over 1.3 million voters casting ballots under tight security.
20 updates
The unofficial and unofficial results from all 140 polling stations of LA-36 Jammu-3 have been received.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Ahsan Hafiz Raza has won the seat, according to the results. Raza secured first place with 27,218 votes, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ahsan Ismail Advocate remained second with 12,980 votes.
The results from all 140 polling stations of the constituency have been received.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has won most of the seats in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, according to unofficial results.
In LA-30, PML-N candidate Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi won with 18,082 votes, according to the unofficial result.
PML-N candidates also secured victories in several other constituencies. Chaudhry Ismail won LA-35 with 22,659 votes, Muhammad Ahsan Raza won LA-36 with 21,600 votes, and Maryam Javed won LA-37 with 28,664 votes.
In LA-38 Jammu-5, PML-N candidate Zeeshan Younis won with 13,608 votes, while Raja Muhammad Sadiq secured victory in LA-39 with 10,893 votes.
PML-N candidates Muhammad Amir Shah, Syed Shaukat Ali Shah, Muhammad Yaseen and Muhammad Ahmed Raza also won their respective constituencies, according to unofficial results.
Muhammad Amir Shah won LA-41 Valley-2 with 1,804 votes, Syed Shaukat Ali Shah won LA-42 Valley-3 with 1,524 votes, Muhammad Yaseen won LA-43 with 1,276 votes, and Muhammad Ahmed Raza won LA-44 with 2,308 votes.
In LA-45, Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Abdul Majid Khan won with 3,448 votes, according to the unofficial result.
Vote counting is under way after polling in the second phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections, with provisional and unofficial results received from several constituencies.
Complete provisional and unofficial results have been received from three of the 20 constituencies in the second phase. In LA-45 Valley, Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Abdul Majeed Khan won with 3,708 votes.
In LA-43, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Muhammad Yaseen won with 1,276 votes, while in LA-44, Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Muhammad Ahmad Raza Qadri secured victory with 1,700 votes.
In Gujrat, the provisional and unofficial result from 37 polling stations in LA-38 Jammu-5 placed Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Zeeshan Younis Tanda first with 3,959 votes. Pakistan Muslim League-Q candidate Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim was second with 3,521 votes.
In Gujranwala, the provisional and unofficial result from 20 polling stations in LA-35 Jammu-2 showed Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Ismail Gujjar leading with 2,664 votes. Independent candidate Sardar Ghiyas Khan was second with 869 votes.
In Narowal, provisional and unofficial results from three of the 16 polling stations in Tehsil Narowal showed PML-N candidate Maryam Javed leading with 547 votes. Jammu Kashmir United Movement candidate Usman Aleem was second with 251 votes.
In Lahore Division's LA-41 Valley-2 constituency, provisional and unofficial results from seven of the 19 polling stations showed PML-N candidate Muhammad Amir Shah leading with 544 votes. Independent candidate Saba Diwan was second with 271 votes.
Polling was held today in eight constituencies of Muzaffarabad and 12 constituencies reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan for the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.
Elections were scheduled in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division. However, the Election Commission postponed polling in LA-1 Muzaffarabad because of unavoidable circumstances.
Polling was also postponed at some polling stations in LA-2 Lachhrat. Voting in both constituencies is now due to take place on August 4.
Counting is under way after polling in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections 2026.
Unofficial and unconfirmed results from 37 polling stations of constituency LA-38 Jammu-5 in Gujrat have been received. PML-N candidate Zeeshan Younis Tanda is leading with 3,959 votes, while PML-Q candidate Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim is in second place with 3,521 votes.
In Gujranwala, unofficial and unconfirmed results from 20 polling stations of constituency LA-35 Jammu-2 have also been received. PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Ismail Gujjar is in first place with 2,664 votes, while independent candidate Sardar Ghiyas Khan is second with 869 votes.
Polling is being held today in eight constituencies of Muzaffarabad and 12 constituencies for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly general elections.
Elections were scheduled in nine constituencies of the Muzaffarabad division. However, the Election Commission postponed polling in constituency LA-1 Muzaffarabad due to unavoidable reasons.
Polling at some stations in constituency LA-2 Lacherat has also been postponed. Voting in both constituencies will now take place on 4 August.
An attack on Member of the National Assembly Salahuddin Junejo was reported at a polling station in Chaudhry Latif Akbar’s constituency, LA-31.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the incident in a statement on social media and demanded the arrest of those responsible.
The former foreign minister said that the PML-N alleged troublemakers opened fire on party workers at a polling station in Mustafaabad.
آزاد جموں و کشمیر میں چوہدری لطیف اکبر کے انتخابی حلقے ایل اے 31 کھاوڑہ میں ایک اور افسوس ناک واقعے میں پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے رکن قومی اسمبلی صلاح الدین جونیجو پر حملہ ہوا ہے جس کی میں مذمت کرتا ہوں اور مطالبہ کرتا ہوں کہ ذمہ داروں کو فی الفور گرفتار کیا جائے، مصطفی آباد کے پولنگ…
— Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 2, 2026
He said that direct gunfire was carried out and those affected kept seeking help from police, but no one arrived to protect them.
Bhutto-Zardari has termed the situation as highly concerning and alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had adopted such tactics because it could not win elections on merit.
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Shoaib Siddiqui rejected on Sunday the election process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the results were announced only two minutes after polling ended.
Shoaib Siddiqui said polling time ended at 5pm and the results were announced at 5:02pm. He claimed that all votes had gone to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
He said such elections were better replaced with direct selection and urged the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to take immediate notice.
The IPP leader said the process was not an election but a selection, which his party rejected.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nayyar Bukhari has alleged that elections are being won through pressure and force, saying such a process cannot be accepted.
Bukhari said those responsible for the alleged irregularities also faced defeat in 2024. He claimed that PPP worker Mushtaq Hussain was killed and demanded the arrest of those involved.
He urged the chief election commissioner and other institutions to review the election process and said the authorities should examine how the polls were being conducted. The PPP leader alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ministers were relying on false statements and claimed that a PML-N candidate provided ballot papers to party workers.
He alleged that ballot boxes were being filled to ensure victory for certain candidates. He directed party workers to remain vigilant during the counting process. Bukhari questioned the nature of the elections and said his party could not accept polls conducted in such circumstances.
He criticised the postponement of polling in LA-37, calling it unjustified. He said the heirs of Mushtaq Hussain had accused a PML-N candidate of involvement in the killing. The PPP leader warned that violence by a ruling party could lead to serious law and order concerns. He said the basic principle of democracy was respect for the public vote.
Regarding LA-29 City Muzaffarabad, he alleged that ballot papers did not carry proper signatures and contained the lion symbol. He warned polling officers not to count such ballot papers.
The polling time in Muzaffarabad Division has been extended by one hour, according to the Election Commission.
Voters in Muzaffarabad Division can now cast their votes until 6pm, the electoral watchdog said.
The extension has been announced to allow voters additional time to take part in the polling process.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira expressed on Sunday serious concerns over the election process, saying he expected the polls to be conducted in a free and transparent manner.
He said only fair and impartial elections could help strengthen the state and provide stability. He said the party had major reservations about the first phase of the election and questioned the reported high polling percentages.
Kaira said it was not possible for 93 or 96 per cent polling to take place in any area. He criticised the electoral watchdog, saying it had not taken effective action despite repeated complaints. He said the party shared its concerns with the Election Commission as well as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership, but no final response was received despite three days of discussions.
Kaira said the party had identified three constituencies where serious security concerns existed, but no action was taken. He said the president of the state was attacked in his constituency and forced to leave the area.
He said a PPP worker was killed in firing in Lower Kot, while firing incidents continued in the city and four polling stations were closed.
Kaira said adequate security was not provided despite repeated warnings. He questioned the security arrangements, saying that if the President could not be protected, questions remained over the election security plan.
He said evidence regarding polling figures from the first phase had already been provided and any similar issues elsewhere should also be examined. He said polling figures of 93 or 95 per cent were not possible anywhere.
He alleged that polling staff reached half of the polling stations at 11am or 12pm and claimed that some staff members were taken to homes of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers where ballot papers were stamped.
He questioned the delay in constituency LA-28, saying polling staff did not reach three union councils until 1pm. He asked whether the roads could not have been cleared after landslides or fallen trees when machinery was available.
Kaira said the party did not want to make the election process controversial, but warned that if the election became disputed at the time of its conduct, it would create difficulties for the new government in maintaining peace.
He said the party was talking about protecting the state and had extended cooperation on every matter. He added that people expected elected representatives to provide hope.
Kaira alleged that the election had been taken away from the party. He referred to previous disputes in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying results had changed several times in one day.
He said forming a government was not the only objective and questioned why power was so important for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He demanded an immediate election process without further delays.
Kaira said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was not an ally of the PPP and had neither been a partner in the past nor at present. He also mentioned the deaths of party workers in Nakyal and other areas.
He said the country already faced major challenges and more difficulties should not be created for the sake of power.
The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has expressed reservations over the low voter turnout and the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
IPP leader Shoaib Siddiqui said the low turnout reflected a lack of public confidence in the government. He said that if people had been satisfied with the government's performance, they would have come out to vote in larger numbers.
Siddiqui claimed that voter turnout at some polling stations was below 10%.
He also alleged that polling agents were removed from polling stations in Nankana Sahib and Sargodha. He claimed that the district administration removed election camps.
Siddiqui called for transparent and impartial elections. He said free and fair polls would ensure that the true public mandate was reflected.
He said the IPP had maintained extensive contact with voters during the election campaign. Siddiqui also claimed that the party would deliver a surprise after the polling closed at 5pm.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on AJK Interim President Chaudhry Latif Akbar, demanding immediate action against those responsible.
The AJK prime minister directed the chief secretary and inspector general of police to immediately identify and punish those involved in the incident, expressing anger over what he described as poor security arrangements during the election process.
Rathore said the attack on Chaudhry Latif Akbar was an assault on principled politics and alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers were behind the incident.
Separately, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the attack, alleging that the PML-N had "crossed all limits" and claiming that attacks were being carried out on voters as well as the president of the state.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party had resisted what he described as bullying, rigging and oppression during the elections in the Muzaffarabad division through the politics of dignity and principle.
Bilawal said the attack on a senior political leader had dealt a blow to the politics of tolerance and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible so they could be brought to justice.
Polling in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's LA-27 constituency of Muzaffarabad, which was postponed due to severe weather, will now be held on August 4, Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa announced.
Speaking to journalists, the chief election commissioner said polling in all other constituencies was continuing peacefully and urged citizens to exercise their democratic right by casting their votes.
He said polling in LA-27 could not be conducted on the scheduled day because heavy rain, landslides and road closures prevented polling staff and election materials from reaching polling stations on time.
After reviewing the situation and completing administrative arrangements, the Election Commission fixed August 4, 2026, as the new polling date for the constituency.
The chief election commissioner appealed to voters to come out without fear and participate in the electoral process, saying voting remained the only constitutional and democratic way to bring about change.
Without naming the banned Public Action Committee, he said violence, unrest and undemocratic tactics could not bring positive change.
Responding to a question about complaints from refugee constituencies, including objections raised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Ghulam Mustafa said the Election Commission had taken immediate action on all complaints and responded to the concerned parties in a timely manner.
He reiterated that the commission was committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections and said polling was proceeding normally in all other constituencies of the Muzaffarabad division under strict security arrangements.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday accused the Election Commission of failing to act against alleged electoral irregularities, expressing hope that it would ensure transparency in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) local government elections.
Bilawal alleged that the Election Commission had not taken action against those responsible for alleged rigging during the first phase of the polls.
"I hope the Election Commission will maintain transparency at least in the second phase," he said, adding that public confidence in the electoral process could have been restored had action been taken earlier.
The PPP chairman said the party reserved the right to demand re-elections in constituencies where it believed the polls had been rigged.
He also claimed that the party had submitted written complaints alleging ballot-box stuffing through fake votes and the unlawful removal of PPP polling agents from polling stations.
In a separate message to the people of Azad Kashmir, Bilawal reiterated the PPP's commitment to ensuring employment opportunities for local residents.
He said the "right to employment" meant that the first claim over Kashmir's resources and jobs should belong to the youth of the region.
Bilawal called for mandatory employment quotas for local people in hydropower, road infrastructure and tourism projects.
"How is it possible that the land and resources belong to Kashmir, but the jobs go to someone else?" he asked.
He urged Kashmiri voters to support the PPP in the August 2 elections, saying the youth should "stamp their right to employment" through the ballot box.
Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Sunday said the Election Commission would not work under anyone's pressure and would make all decisions in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a polling station in Muzaffarabad, Mughal reviewed polling arrangements and said the commission remained committed to conducting the electoral process independently.
Responding to a question, he said the Election Commission would not accept any undue pressure and would fulfil its constitutional and legal responsibilities.
"Not everything everyone says can be accepted," he said, adding that all decisions would be taken strictly in accordance with the law and regulations.
The chief election commissioner said the commission had written to the relevant authorities seeking the restoration of internet services, adding that the situation would become clearer later in the day.
Polling is underway in eight constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division and 12 Muhajireen constituencies for the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) submitted several complaints to the Election Commission during the day, alleging irregularities and rigging in different constituencies.
The Election Commission has not publicly commented on the specific allegations.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Sunday alleged multiple polling irregularities during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and called on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission to take immediate action.
According to election officials, polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad was postponed, while voting was cancelled in three union councils of LA-28.
The PPP also alleged that ballot boxes were moved outside polling stations and ballot papers were stamped outside polling premises in LA-30, raising concerns over the transparency of the electoral process.
The party demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged violations and urged the Election Commission to initiate legal proceedings against those found responsible.
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman called on party workers and candidates to submit written complaints regarding any alleged irregularities.
"No compromise on the sanctity of the vote will be accepted," she said.
The party further alleged ballot stuffing at the Banawalngah polling station in constituency LA-30 and sought a formal inquiry into claims that ballot boxes were moved outside polling stations.
In LA-28, the PPP claimed polling could not begin at 71 polling stations because polling staff failed to arrive on time, affecting voters in four union councils.
The party also demanded an extension of polling hours at the affected polling stations to ensure all eligible voters were able to cast their ballots.
The Election Commission had not issued a response to the PPP's allegations at the time of filing this report.
Polling is underway in the second phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections, with voters casting their ballots in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee constituencies under strict security arrangements.
According to the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, polling began at 8am and will continue uninterrupted until 5pm.
The second phase covers nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division and 12 constituencies reserved for refugees from Jammu and the Kashmir Valley residing in Pakistan.
Muzaffarabad division, comprising the districts of Muzaffarabad, Neelum and Jhelum Valley, has 890,621 registered voters, including 427,955 men and 381,666 women. A total of 1,483 polling stations have been established across the division, where 208 candidates are contesting nine seats.
For the 12 refugee constituencies, 438,682 registered voters are eligible to vote, including 247,876 male and 190,806 female voters.
Among them, 405,105 voters are registered in six Jammu refugee constituencies (LA-34 to LA-39), while 33,577 voters are registered in six Kashmir Valley refugee constituencies (LA-40 to LA-45).
The Election Commission has established 1,057 polling stations and 1,829 polling booths for the refugee constituencies.
Election authorities said all polling arrangements had been completed ahead of voting, with additional police and law enforcement personnel deployed at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
Several closely watched contests are taking place across Muzaffarabad division.
One of the most prominent battles is in LA-32 Jhelum Valley (Chakar), where former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is facing Sahibzada Ashfaq Zafar of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The two candidates were separated by fewer than 400 votes in the 2021 election.
Another key contest is in LA-25 Neelum Valley, where PML-N's Shah Ghulam Qadir is up against PPP candidate Mian Waheed, while Sardar Tanveer Ilyas of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) is also in the race.
In LA-26 Neelum Valley, PPP's Mian Abdul Waheed is seeking re-election in what is expected to be another closely fought contest.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will secure a clear majority and form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following the ongoing phased elections.
Speaking at an event in Lahore, Tarar said the people of Azad Kashmir had expressed confidence in the PML-N because of its commitment to development, stability and support for Pakistan.
He claimed that the party's candidates had performed strongly in several constituencies, particularly in the Mirpur Division, attributing the results to an extensive election campaign by PML-N workers.
"The people of Azad Kashmir are expressing confidence in the PML-N, and the final election results will also be in the party's favour," Tarar said, adding that the party enjoyed widespread public support across the region.
The information minister criticised opposition parties, saying they lacked a practical agenda for development and economic progress.
He said the PML-N had consistently prioritised public service, infrastructure development and economic stability, which, according to him, had strengthened its electoral prospects.
Tarar also dismissed objections raised over refugee seats, alleging that certain elements were attempting to create unnecessary controversy. He expressed confidence that voters would reject such narratives.
With the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections just around the corner, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has accelerated its election campaign across refugee constituencies.
Party leaders are sharpening their strategy, expanding voter outreach and calling for transparent polling ahead of the August 2 elections.
An important consultative meeting of the IPP Punjab chapter was held in Lahore under the chairmanship of Punjab General Secretary Shoaib Siddiqui to review preparations for the second phase of the Azad Kashmir elections.
The meeting was attended by party leaders, including nominated candidates Saeed Ahmed Dar and Bilal Mukhtar Butt. In line with the directions of IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan, various election responsibilities were assigned to party leaders and workers.
Shoaib Siddiqui urged party workers to play an active role in ensuring the success of IPP candidates and directed them to further intensify the party's door-to-door election campaign.
Political activity has intensified ahead of the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on August 2, with Pakistan People's Party (PPP) candidates raising concerns over the electoral process and pledging development-focused agendas if elected.
The political atmosphere in Lahore has heated up ahead of polling for the LA-41 Valley-2 constituency, where PPP candidate Ghulam Abbas Mir has leveled serious allegations against his rival, PML-N candidate Muhammad Amir Shah.
Addressing the media, Mir claimed that fake votes were being prepared in favor of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and demanded an immediate inquiry into the matter.
He urged election authorities to prevent voters appearing on what he described as "fake voter lists" from casting ballots, alleging that the electoral rolls for refugee voters were being altered.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday that the reforms could be introduced through parliament and urged all the political parties affected by election rigging to join hands with him.
Addressing the electoral rally in Muzaffarabad, the former foreign minister said that the free and fair elections should be held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), adding that the federal government would face no difficulty if transparent polls were conducted.
He said that he was extending his hand towards serious politicians and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), asking the party to leave the politics of boycott and take part in the political process.
Bhutto-Zardari warned that if rigging took place, those responsible would face consequences, while justice would bring justice in return. He said that the PPP workers had faced General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf, adding that his party had dedicated workers.
