Azad Kashmir elections 2026: Polling begins in first phase across Mirpur division

Polling continued peacefully in LA-7 Bhimber during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Tariq Farooq expressing satisfaction over voter participation and the overall polling arrangements.

Speaking during the polling process, the PML-N leader said the people had once again demonstrated their commitment to democracy by coming out to vote in large numbers.

Farooq said the people of Bhimber had thwarted the efforts of anti-national elements through their active participation in the election. He noted that voters had turned out in significant numbers and were continuing to cast their ballots throughout the day.

The PML-N candidate said Bhimber has traditionally recorded a high voter turnout, adding that the same enthusiasm was visible in the ongoing election. According to Farooq, the large public response reflected the constituency's longstanding commitment to the democratic process.

He also commended the Election Commission for the arrangements made for polling day. He said the election administration had made excellent arrangements, describing the overall situation as satisfactory as polling continued peacefully across LA-7 Bhimber.

Polling continued peacefully in LA-3 City Mirpur during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, as Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Raja Tasleem Arif cast his vote at his native polling station.

The candidate joined voters at the polling station to exercise his democratic right as the electoral process remained underway across the constituency.

Arif voted at his hometown polling station in LA-3 Mirpur, where polling has been continuing since the morning. After casting his vote, he expressed satisfaction over the voter turnout, saying the public's participation reflected confidence in the democratic process.

Speaking to the media, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party candidate voiced optimism about the election outcome and said he was hopeful of success in the constituency. He also delivered a message to his political opponents, while expressing confidence in the support he has received from voters as polling continues in LA-3 Mirpur.

Polling continued peacefully across Bhimber district during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with senior citizens and women voters making a strong showing at polling stations.

The enthusiastic turnout reflected voters' commitment to the democratic process as people from across the district exercised their right to vote.

In LA-7 Bhimber, senior citizens were among the early voters arriving at polling stations to cast their ballots.

Speaking to the media, several elderly voters said they participated in the elections so that capable representatives could be elected to address the public's problems.

"We belong to Pakistan, and we are Pakistanis," some senior citizens said while expressing their commitment to the democratic process.

Women voters make strong presence

Women are actively participating in the Azad Kashmir elections, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for the democratic process while balancing their household responsibilities.

In LA-5 Barnala, an encouraging turnout of women voters has been witnessed. A large number of women were seen arriving at polling stations and casting their votes, highlighting their active participation in the electoral process.

A total of 608 polling stations have been established across the district's three constituencies to facilitate voters and ensure the smooth conduct of the election process.

Women voters said they not only manage their homes but also play an active role in politics alongside men. They shared that they conducted door-to-door election campaigns to promote the development of their areas and help resolve local issues.

Expressing confidence in women's participation, they said they expect female voter turnout to exceed 90%, reflecting the growing political engagement of women in Azad Kashmir. 

Women voters turned out enthusiastically in LA-7 Bhimber as polling continued in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with polling stations witnessing a steady rush of voters from the early hours of the morning.

The active participation of women highlighted growing public interest in the electoral process as voters continued to exercise their democratic right.

Polling is underway in LA-7 Bhimber city, where women were among the early arrivals at polling stations.

The enthusiastic turnout contributed to a busy atmosphere, with voters lining up to cast their ballots soon after polling began.

Women call voting national duty

Speaking during the polling process, several women described voting as a national duty, emphasizing the importance of participating in the democratic process.

They said household responsibilities can always be managed, but casting a vote is a responsibility that should not be ignored.

Polling continued peacefully in the constituency as election staff and security personnel facilitated voters throughout the process.

Officials expect voter participation to remain steady as polling continues until the scheduled closing time.

Senior police officers carried out early morning visits to sensitive polling stations across Mirpur as voting continued in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with authorities vowing strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process.

Mirpur SSP Khurram Iqbal visited sensitive polling stations early in the morning to review security arrangements and monitor the law and order situation.

The visits were aimed at ensuring that polling continued smoothly and that all security measures remained fully effective throughout the voting process.

According to SSP Iqbal, LA-3 Mirpur has been declared a sensitive constituency, prompting enhanced security deployment. He said police personnel have been stationed outside every polling station to maintain peace and provide a secure environment for voters.

The SSP said all Election Commission standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be implemented without exception during polling. He emphasized that security personnel have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure that election rules are followed at every polling station.

Warning against attempts to disrupt polling

Iqbal issued a stern warning that any individual attempting to create disorder or disturb the polling process would be arrested immediately. He reiterated that the police are fully prepared to maintain law and order and ensure that voters can exercise their democratic right in a peaceful atmosphere. 

The Election Commission has taken immediate action against two presiding officers in Kotli during the ongoing first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, suspending and arresting them for allegedly failing to perform their official duties.

According to the Election Commission spokesperson, the prompt action was taken to ensure the polling process remained transparent and uninterrupted.

The spokesperson said the two presiding officers went to a private residence instead of reporting to their designated polling stations. 

After receiving the information, the returning officer acted immediately and took custody of the polling bags to safeguard the election material and prevent any disruption to the voting process.

Both suspended, arrested

Following the incident, the Election Commission suspended both presiding officers and ordered their arrest, the spokesperson confirmed.

The Election Commission also initiated legal action under the relevant election laws against the arrested officials.

To ensure polling continued without interruption, the Election Commission appointed new presiding officers and immediately dispatched them to the respective polling stations.

Officials said the swift replacement was aimed at maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring voters could continue to cast their ballots without any inconvenience.

As polling continues in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has appealed to voters across the Mirpur division to come out without fear and exercise their democratic right responsibly.

The chief election commissioner said every possible measure has been taken to ensure polling remains peaceful, transparent and fair, urging citizens to participate actively in the democratic process.

Justice (retd) Mughal called on the people of Mirpur division to leave their homes confidently and vote peacefully. He stressed that every eligible voter should exercise their democratic right within the stipulated polling hours and contribute to strengthening the democratic process through a high voter turnout.

Security arrangements completed across polling stations

The CEC said effective security arrangements have been completed at all polling stations across the Mirpur division. He added that law enforcement agencies are fully mobilized on election duty, while all institutions are working in close coordination to ensure the successful conduct of the election process.

According to the CEC, every necessary step has been taken to ensure polling continues in a peaceful environment throughout the division.

Justice Mughal reaffirmed that the Election Commission is committed to holding free, transparent and fair elections. He said all arrangements have been finalized to make the electoral process impartial and credible, allowing voters to cast their ballots with confidence.

Voters urged to follow code of conduct

The CEC urged citizens to participate in the election process while strictly adhering to the election code of conduct. He emphasized that maintaining law and order is the collective responsibility of everyone, warning that any violation of the law during the election process will not be tolerated.

Justice Mughal advised voters not to pay attention to rumours or misinformation circulating during polling. Instead, he urged the public to rely only on official and authentic sources of information regarding the election process.

The election commissioner reminded voters to carry their original Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) when visiting polling stations. He also described every vote as a national trust, urging citizens to express their opinion responsibly and play their role in strengthening democracy through peaceful participation.

The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections has begun, with polling underway across the Mirpur division. Thousands of voters are casting their ballots in Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts as authorities enforce strict security measures to ensure a peaceful voting process.

Polling started at 8am and will continue without interruption until 5pm in the first phase of the Azad Kashmir elections. Voting is taking place in 13 constituencies across the Mirpur division, including:

• Four constituencies in Mirpur

• Three constituencies in Bhimber

• Six constituencies in Kotli

The election is expected to witness a closely fought contest among the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP), along with candidates from other political parties and independent contenders.

More than 1.4m registered voters to decide the outcome

According to election officials, the total number of registered voters in the 13 constituencies stands at 1,401,439, including:

• 725,118 male voters

• 675,628 female voters

A total of 296 candidates are contesting the elections across the Mirpur division.

Among the most closely watched races are LA-3 Mirpur, LA-6 Bhimber and LA-10 Kotli, where PPP, PML-N and the Istehkam Pakistan Party are engaged in highly competitive contests.

Election authorities have established 2,454 polling stations across the Mirpur division to facilitate voters. The district-wise distribution includes:

• 597 polling stations in Mirpur's four constituencies

• 1,107 polling stations in Kotli's six constituencies

• 608 polling stations in Bhimber's three constituencies

Officials have declared 1,241 polling stations as highly sensitive, prompting enhanced security arrangements.

Authorities have deployed more than 18,000 police personnel from Azad Kashmir and all four provinces of Pakistan to maintain law and order throughout polling day. 

Officials say comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure voters can exercise their democratic right in a peaceful and secure environment.

Mirpur witnesses early polling activity

Polling has officially begun in LA-3 Mirpur, one of the key constituencies in the first phase. Election officials say more than 106,000 registered voters in Mirpur are eligible to vote.

At the Ghazi Elahi Bakhsh Government Degree College for Women polling station, citizens continued arriving to cast their ballots. The polling station has 2,460 registered voters.

Ward 16 records more female than male voters

Special attention has been drawn to Ward 16 in LA-3 Mirpur, where polling also began on schedule.

Election data shows 660 male voters and 668 female voters are registered in the ward, making female voters slightly outnumber male voters. Officials noted that, despite being an urban area where turnout was initially modest in the morning, security arrangements remain foolproof.

Polling has also begun in LA-7 Bhimber, where voters are electing their representative to the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The first vote of the constituency was cast at Polling Station 161 in UC-1 Bhimber.

Residents of Bhimber city, Barnala and Samahni are voting today in the district's three constituencies as citizens continue arriving at polling stations to exercise their constitutional right.

Women voters turn out enthusiastically

Women voters were among the early arrivals at polling stations in LA-7 Bhimber, with visible enthusiasm throughout the morning.

Speaking to the media, several women described voting as a national duty, saying they had completed their household responsibilities before coming to cast their ballots.

Their participation reflected strong public engagement as polling continued peacefully across the constituency.

Mirpur division emerges as key electoral battleground

Mirpur remains one of the most significant regions in the Azad Kashmir elections, with voting taking place in LA-1, LA-2, LA-3 and LA-4.

Political observers expect intense competition across the Mirpur division, where the outcome of several closely contested constituencies could shape the overall political landscape of Azad Kashmir.

As voting continues throughout the day, election officials have urged citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully.