Summary Delayed polling ended in two AJK constituencies as PPP repeated rigging allegations, while PML-N rejected claims and defended its mandate.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Polling concluded on Tuesday in two Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) constituencies where voting had been postponed from August 2 due to landslides and adverse weather, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) once again alleged widespread electoral rigging.
Voting was held in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla) and at 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) after roads blocked by landslides were reopened. AJK elections are being conducted in three phases because of security concerns. The first phase was held on July 27 in Mirpur division, while the second phase covered seven constituencies in Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee seats. The final phase, covering 11 constituencies in Poonch division, is scheduled for August 10.
The PPP submitted multiple complaints to the Election Commission, alleging that polling staff were found with official ballot papers and polling bags inside the residence of a PML-N supporter in LA-27. The party also claimed polling staff had abandoned a polling station to operate from the house of a PML-N candidate.
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman said videos documenting the alleged irregularities had been submitted to the Election Commission as evidence and demanded immediate legal and disciplinary action against those involved.
— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 4, 2026
Responding to the allegations, an Election Commission official said videos submitted by a PPP worker appeared vague and amounted to unverified claims. He maintained that the footage could not be treated as evidence unless authenticated through forensic examination and supported by credible corroborating material.
The PPP also accused the PML-N of ballot stuffing at polling stations in LA-28, preventing voters from casting ballots, and alleged that a presiding officer in LA-27 was stuffing ballot papers. In a separate complaint, the party claimed PML-N workers opened fire in Bandi to intimidate residents and discourage them from reaching polling stations.
— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) August 4, 2026
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry rejected the rigging allegations, saying the PML-N's success in the first two phases reflected public confidence in the performance of the federal and Punjab governments. Addressing a meeting of party leaders in Poonch division, he urged PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to "show grace in defeat" and said political leaders should not complain after losing elections.
Tallal Chaudhry expressed confidence that the PML-N would also secure a majority in the third phase of the AJK elections. His remarks came a day after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned that the ruling party's "countdown" had begun and vowed to expand the PPP's campaign for people's rights across the country.
