MUZAFFARABAD — Vote counting was underway late Saturday following the peaceful conclusion of polling in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with preliminary and unofficial results indicating a decisive lead for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) across most constituencies.
Polling was conducted for eight constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. The process remained calm until the closure of polls at 6 p.m. in all areas except for LA-27, where elections at all 196 polling stations were postponed. Election officials cited severe weather and landslides that prevented the delivery of staff and materials to the remote constituency.
Early Unofficial Victories for PML-N
According to provisional results emerging from polling stations, PML-N has already secured victories in several key constituencies. These include LA-30 Muzaffarabad-4, LA-36 Jammu-3, LA-37 Jammu-4, and the refugee seats LA-41, LA-42, LA-43, and LA-44.
The party also established a commanding lead in a number of other closely watched races. PML-N candidates are ahead in LA-25 Neelum Valley-1, LA-34 Jammu-1, LA-35 Jammu-2, LA-38 Jammu-5, and LA-39 Jammu-6, as initial tallies are compiled.
PPP Trails but Secures Key Wins
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remained the second-largest party in the preliminary counts, trailing PML-N in most constituencies. However, the PPP managed to carve out significant victories. The party was leading in LA-26 Neelum Valley-2 and the refugee constituency LA-40 Kashmir Valley-1. It also secured a confirmed win in LA-45 Kashmir Valley-6.Election officials emphasized that the vote counting process is ongoing in several constituencies and that all results announced so far are unofficial and provisional. The final, certified results will be released by the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir upon the completion of the entire counting and tabulation process.
