PPP alleges rigging, violence as second phase of AJK elections concludes

Voting in the second phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir's (AJK) elections concluded on Sunday across Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee constituencies. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) accused coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of rigging, violence and intimidation during polling. One constituency's vote was postponed due to heavy rain.

What did the PPP allege in AJK's second phase elections?

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused PML-N of manipulating the vote through bullets, batons and coercion. He said the party's regional president, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, was attacked in LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V), and PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. Bilawal demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for both incidents.

How did polling proceed across Muzaffarabad and refugee seats?

Polling was held in eight of the nine Muzaffarabad division constituencies and all 12 refugee constituencies. Voting ran from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for refugee seats, while Muzaffarabad polling continued until 6 p.m. after a one-hour extension. AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed because of heavy rain. More than 300 candidates contested the Muzaffarabad and refugee seats.

What complaints has the PPP filed with the Election Commission?

The PPP alleged electoral malpractice in at least 11 constituencies and said its polling agents were barred from observing voting at several stations. It accused PML-N supporters of ballot stuffing, bogus voting, removing ballot boxes and tearing ballot papers. The party said it filed 25 complaints with the Election Commission but had not received a formal response.

Separately, the PPP submitted a complaint over the alleged assault on Akbar and said a first information report was being registered. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, a PPP leader, ordered an investigation and called the attack "a slap on the politics of dignity and principle in Kashmir."

How has PML-N responded to the rigging allegations?

PML-N rejected the allegations. Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam urged political parties to avoid a "blame game" and said law enforcement personnel had been deployed to ensure peaceful polling. He said allegations made without evidence could not change the results and defended the party's performance in the first phase of voting.

When are the remaining phases of AJK elections held?

AJK's elections are being held in three phases because of security concerns. The first phase took place in Mirpur division on July 27, and the final phase is scheduled for Aug. 10 in Poonch division. Internet services were restored in parts of Muzaffarabad division ahead of Sunday's vote, after a 54-day suspension.

PPP and PML-N, coalition partners in Pakistan's federal government, have traded accusations since PML-N emerged ahead in the first phase. The PPP has demanded re-polling in several constituencies, while leaders from both parties have held multiple meetings to defuse tensions. Bilawal said the PPP reserved the right to protest and demand fresh elections if the Election Commission fails to act on the alleged rigging.

What do the voter and candidate numbers show?

According to the AJK Election Commission, 207 candidates contested the nine Muzaffarabad division constituencies, and 137 candidates ran for the 12 refugee constituencies. More than 1.24 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots, with over 2,500 polling stations set up across AJK and refugee constituencies nationwide. Results were expected after polling concluded.