MIRPUR (special crosspondent) – According to unofficial and incomplete results from the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, returns from 12 of the 13 constituencies in the Mirpur Division have been recorded. The outcome for the Samahni constituency remains officially withheld following reports of an incident involving the destruction of ballot papers. Despite this, unofficial tallies suggest that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Razaq holds a significant lead in the constituency. The current electoral landscape, as discussed in broader contexts like Attaullah Tarar Blames 2019 Policies for Media Industry Financial Crisis, reflects shifting political dynamics across the region.

PML-N Secures Majority in Mirpur

Unofficial and incomplete data indicate that the PML-N has successfully secured nine of the 13 contested seats within the Mirpur Division. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has managed to claim four seats in this electoral round. This legislative activity continues as the government balances various regional projects, similar to those noted in President Zardari Reviews Progress on Sindh-China Economic Cooperation Projects.

Major Political Upsets and New Entrants

The electoral process saw several high-profile political upsets. Notable figures, including former Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, AJK PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, and former minister Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, were defeated in their respective constituencies. Meanwhile, the assembly will see five new members from the PML-N: Raja Muhammad Riasat Khan (Charhoi), Sardar Umair Naeem (Nikyal), Raja Asif (Sehensa), Raja Ayaz Nisar (Khoi Ratta), and Chaudhry Muhammad Razaq (Samahni). These changes occur amidst ongoing national discussions regarding infrastructure and development, such as those highlighted in Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan Inspects Flood Damaged Skardu Gilgit Road.

Constituency Breakdowns and Allegations

In Charhoi, PML-N’s Raja Muhammad Riasat Khan defeated AJK PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin. In response to this outcome, the PPP has formally alleged electoral irregularities and is demanding a re-poll. In Nikyal, Sardar Umair Naeem achieved a significant victory over former minister Javed Iqbal Budhanvi. Furthermore, in Sehensa, Raja Asif defeated Chaudhry Akhlaq, while in Khoi Ratta, Raja Ayaz Nisar secured a win against competitors Waleed Inqalabi and Nisar Ansar Abdali.

Status of the Samahni Constituency

While the result for Samahni is currently pending due to the aforementioned ballot-burning incident, unofficial reports maintain that Chaudhry Muhammad Razaq of the PML-N holds a comfortable lead over his opponent, Ali Shan Soni of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. Authorities have emphasized that these figures remain unofficial and incomplete, with final validation pending the formal announcement by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission.