Summary PML-N leads AJK first phase polls with eight seats, while PPP wins four in Mirpur Division, according to unofficial results. Election officials call voting peaceful and transparent.
MIRPUR (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the leading party in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections held in the Mirpur Division, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results.
Out of 13 constituencies in Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber districts, results from 13 constituencies indicate that PML-N has won nine seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured four seats.
The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has officially announced results of three constituencies, while unofficial results for the remaining seats continue to emerge.
In LA-1 Dadyal (Mirpur), PML-N candidate Chaudhry Azhar Sadiq won with 15,427 votes, defeating PPP’s Chaudhry Afsar Shahid, who secured 9,832 votes.
PPP candidate Qasim Majeed won LA-2 Chakswari/Islamgarh with 12,904 votes, while PML-N’s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry finished second with 8,182 votes.
In LA-3 Mirpur City, PPP’s Yasir Sultan secured victory with 12,590 votes, defeating PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, who received 11,081 votes.
PML-N continued its performance in LA-4 Khari Sharif, where Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed won with 20,172 votes, while PPP’s Chaudhry Sohail Arshad came second with 13,865 votes.
The Returning Officer has announced the complete result of LA-5 Bhimber constituency in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections. According to the result from all 176 polling stations, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Waqar Ahmed Noor secured victory after receiving 30,259 votes. PPP candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Ashraf finished second with 29,574 votes, according to the announced results.
The constituency witnessed a close contest between the two candidates, with Waqar Ahmed Noor defeating his PPP rival by a narrow margin.
In LA-6 Samahni, PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Razzaq was leading with 23,923 votes, while IPP candidate Ali Shan Soni was in second place with 12,492 votes. The final result was delayed after allegations of ballot papers being burned in the constituency.
PML-N candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq won LA-7 Bhimber with 35,490 votes, defeating former prime minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, who received 25,100 votes as an independent candidate.
In LA-8 Kotli Raj Mahal, PPP’s Zafar Iqbal Malik won with 19,535 votes, while PML-N’s Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan finished second with 11,966 votes.
PML-N candidate Umair Naeem defeated PPP’s Javed Iqbal Budhanvi in LA-9 Kotli Nakiyaal. Umair Naeem secured 31,037 votes, while Budhanvi received 28,507 votes.
In LA-10 Kotli City, PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin won with 12,421 votes, defeating PML-N’s Fateh Mahmood-ul-Hassan, who received 9,063 votes.
PML-N’s Raja Muhammad Asif won LA-11 Kotli Sehansa with 26,190 votes, while PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq secured 21,751 votes.
In LA-12 Kotli Chardhoi, PML-N’s Raja Riasat Khan defeated PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin. Raja Riasat Khan received 35,168 votes, while Yasin secured 30,320 votes.
In LA-13 Kotli Khoi Ratta, PML-N candidate Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan won with 21,728 votes, while IPP’s Ansar Abdali finished second with 15,648 votes.
AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the first phase of the electoral process was completed in a free and transparent manner.
Speaking at a press conference, he said all political parties actively participated in the elections and polling was completed in a peaceful environment. He added that a large number of people exercised their right to vote and those involved in disrupting polling in Samahni were arrested.
The chief election commissioner also appreciated the role of law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and security during the election process.
