Muzaffarabad, July 27, 2026: Unofficial and unconfirmed results from the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections began emerging on Monday evening after polling concluded across 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing an early victory in Mirpur.
According to unofficial results compiled from all 149 polling stations, PPP candidate Qasim Majeed won the LA-2 Mirpur-II constituency by securing 12,904 votes, defeating Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry, who polled 8,182 votes.
Polling, which began at 8am, concluded at 6pm after the Election Commission extended voting by one hour to facilitate voters.
A total of 296 candidates, including representatives of the PPP, PML-N, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and independent contenders, contested elections in the Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts.
According to election officials, 1,401,439 registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots in the first phase, including 725,118 men and 675,628 women.
The AJK Election Commission established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division, comprising 597 in Mirpur district, 1,107 in Kotli district and 608 in Bhimber district. Authorities deployed extensive security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling.
AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected disruptive elements and reaffirmed confidence in the democratic process. He said all state institutions remained fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections and warned that the law would take its course against anyone attempting to disturb public order.
Despite generally peaceful polling, one person was killed and three others were injured in a firing incident at a polling station in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal), police said.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kamran Ali confirmed the fatality, adding that polling at the affected station was temporarily suspended.
PPP candidate Javed Budhanvi identified the deceased as Mukhtar Younis, a party worker, and said his body had been shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed grief over the death and extended condolences to the bereaved family. He alleged that supporters of PML-N candidate Umair Niazi opened fire, resulting in the death of the PPP worker.
Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal described the AJK elections as one of the most significant political developments in the region and stressed that transparent and credible polls were essential for the formation of an effective government.
He also raised concerns over unresolved issues relating to refugee constituencies, warning that any controversy surrounding the elections could undermine the legitimacy of the incoming government.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said polling remained largely peaceful, with only one major untoward incident reported during the day.
He said a few minor incidents had occurred, but apart from the firing incident, no major disruptions were reported. He also described the overall polling arrangements as satisfactory and suggested extending polling hours in future elections to facilitate voters during hot weather.
Meanwhile, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman accused the PML-N of attempting to make the elections controversial due to fears of electoral defeat. She said the people of Kashmir were politically aware and capable of making their own decisions, adding that the PPP enjoyed longstanding support in the region.
PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri said the people of Kashmir would decide their future through the ballot, describing the party’s election symbol as a sign of hope for voters.
Earlier in the day, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, accompanied by Asifa Bhutto-Zardari, urged voters to exercise their democratic right and support PPP candidates.
Senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also called for free, fair and transparent elections, alleging federal interference and the use of official resources during the campaign.
Separately, a clash erupted at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station in LA-6 Bhimber between workers of rival political parties.
PML-N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that rival workers initiated the violence and claimed IPP supporters also created disturbances at another polling station. Polling was suspended at both stations following the incidents.
The District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed that unidentified miscreants snatched a ballot box and set it on fire. The destroyed ballot box reportedly contained 232 votes.
The DRO said legal action would be taken against those responsible, while a decision on re-polling at the affected polling station would be made later. He added that polling at all other stations across the constituency remained normal.
The DRO also confirmed receiving a complaint from former prime minister Anwarul Haq regarding LA-7 and said he personally visited the concerned polling stations, where polling agents from all contesting candidates were present.
