PML-N Dominates Phase 2 of AJK Elections, PPP Secures Key Seats

Muzaffarabad (Special Correspondent): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the leading party in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, securing a clear lead across the Muzaffarabad Division and refugee constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also won several important seats.

Polling was held on eight constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies. According to unofficial and provisional results received late Sunday night, PML-N won 12 seats, while PPP secured four seats. Results in a few constituencies were delayed, and polling at some stations was postponed due to adverse weather and logistical issues.

Voting continued peacefully from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, polling at several stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-2 (Lachrat) was postponed because of heavy rain and landslides. The Election Commission said polling in selected stations of Nouseri, Nosada, Panjgran, Deolian and Panjkot would now be held on August 4 after election staff and polling materials failed to reach those locations.

According to unofficial results, PML-N’s Shah Ghulam Qadir won from LA-25 Neelum Valley-1, while former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas finished third. In LA-26 Neelum Valley-2, PPP candidate Mian Abdul Waheed was leading in the initial count. Polling in LA-27 was postponed, while incomplete polling in LA-28 delayed the final outcome, although the PPP candidate was ahead in the available results.

PPP’s Sardar Mukhtar won LA-29 Muzaffarabad, while PML-N candidates Mustafa Bashir Abbasi and Raja Farooq Haider secured victories in LA-30 and LA-32 respectively. PPP’s Dewan Ali Qamar Chughtai won LA-33, while PML-N was also leading in LA-31.

PML-N also performed strongly in the refugee constituencies, winning LA-34, LA-35, LA-36, LA-37, LA-38, LA-39, LA-41, LA-42, LA-43 and LA-44. PPP secured victories in LA-40 and LA-45.

The polling process in some constituencies was affected by bad weather, landslides and delays in the delivery of election materials, while vote counting continued late into the night.

With the provisional results of the second phase, PML-N has strengthened its position in the AJK Legislative Assembly, while PPP has maintained a significant presence by winning several key constituencies. The Election Commission is continuing the process of issuing the official final results.