AJK Elections entered a decisive stage as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the leading party in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections. According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, the party won the majority of seats in Mirpur Division.
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Out of 13 constituencies in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber, results from 11 seats indicate that PML-N has secured eight victories. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won four seats. So far, the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has officially notified results for three constituencies, while counting continues elsewhere.
PML-N Dominates Early Results
In LA-1 Dadyal (Mirpur), PML-N candidate Chaudhry Azhar Sadiq won with 15,427 votes. Meanwhile, PPP’s Chaudhry Afsar Shahid received 9,832 votes.
However, PPP captured LA-2 Chakswari/Islamgarh, where Qasim Majeed secured 12,904 votes. In contrast, PML-N’s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry finished second with 8,182 votes.
Similarly, PPP retained momentum in LA-3 Mirpur City. Yasir Sultan won with 12,590 votes, while PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed secured 11,081 votes.
However, PML-N bounced back in LA-4 Khari Sharif. Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed secured 20,172 votes, defeating PPP’s Chaudhry Sohail Arshad, who received 13,865 votes.
Close Contest in Bhimber
The Returning Officer officially declared Waqar Ahmed Noor of PML-N the winner in LA-5 Bhimber after he secured 30,259 votes.
Meanwhile, PPP candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Ashraf polled 29,574 votes. As a result, the constituency produced one of the closest contests of the first election phase.
In LA-6 Samahni, PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Razzaq led with 23,923 votes. Meanwhile, IPP candidate Ali Shan Soni secured 12,492 votes.
However, officials delayed the final result after allegations that ballot papers had been burned in the constituency.
Mixed Results in Kotli
PML-N candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq won LA-7 Bhimber with 35,490 votes. As a result, he defeated former Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, who contested as an independent and received 25,100 votes.
Meanwhile, PPP’s Zafar Iqbal Malik claimed LA-8 Kotli Raj Mahal with 19,535 votes. In comparison, PML-N’s Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan received 11,966 votes.
Moreover, PML-N won LA-9 Kotli Nakiyaal, where Umair Naeem defeated PPP’s Javed Iqbal Budhanvi by 31,037 votes to 28,507.
Meanwhile, PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin secured LA-10 Kotli City with 12,421 votes. PML-N’s Fateh Mahmood-ul-Hassan finished second with 9,063 votes.
PML-N Strengthens Its Position
Furthermore, PML-N secured LA-11 Kotli Sehansa, where Raja Muhammad Asif received 26,190 votes. PPP’s Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq followed with 21,751 votes.
Likewise, PML-N won LA-12 Kotli Chardhoi. Raja Riasat Khan defeated PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin by 35,168 votes to 30,320.
Finally, PML-N completed another victory in LA-13 Kotli Khoi Ratta. Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan secured 21,728 votes, while IPP’s Ansar Abdali received 15,648 votes.
Election Commission Praises Peaceful Polling
Meanwhile, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the first phase of polling concluded peacefully and transparently.
He added that voters participated enthusiastically across the division. Furthermore, authorities arrested individuals accused of disrupting polling in Samahni.
Finally, he praised law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace and ensuring a secure voting environment throughout the electoral process.
