PML-N Wins Nine of 13 Seats in First Phase of AJK General Elections

The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir General Elections concluded on July 27, 2026, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz capturing nine of the thirteen contested seats in the Mirpur Division. According to unofficial results, the Pakistan Peoples Party secured the remaining four seats across the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber.

Voting across the 2,454 established polling stations extended by an hour until 6 pm to accommodate lingering crowds, though overall participation was dampened by hot weather. Over 1.4 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots across the division’s 13 constituencies, watched over by deployed police, Pakistan Army, Rangers, and other law enforcement personnel.

PML-N Dominance in Mirpur and Bhimber Districts

Addressing a joint news conference in Islamabad, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah Khan announced that the PML-N had consolidated its lead early in the count. He was joined by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, who stated that the local turnout reaffirmed public confidence in the party’s leadership. Rana Sanaullah Khan said the PML-N secured nine of the thirteen seats in Mirpur Division, while the Pakistan People’s Party won the remaining four seats as per the latest information. Rana Sanaullah Khan said the overall election process remained peaceful. Congratulating the newly elected representatives, Rana Sanaullah expressed the hope that they would play their due role in addressing the issues facing the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Amir Muqam said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir voted in favour of the PML-N, reaffirming their confidence in the party’s leadership. He said the enthusiastic participation of the people in the electoral process is a victory of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Detailed constituency tallies highlighted several narrow victories. According to the unofficial and provisional results, the PML-N won LA-1 Mirpur-1, LA-4 Mirpur-4, LA-5 Bhimber-1, LA-6 Bhimber-2, LA-7 Bhimber-3, LA-9 Kotli-2, LA-11 Kotli-4, LA-12 Kotli-5 and LA-13 Kotli-6. The PPP won LA-2 Mirpur-2, LA-3 Mirpur-3, LA-8 Kotli-1 and LA-10 Kotli-3. PML-N candidate Chaudhry Azhar Sadiq won LA-1 Dadyal, defeating PPP’s Chaudhry Afzal Shahid, who finished second. In LA-2 Chakswari, PPP’s Chaudhry Qasim Majeed emerged victorious, while party candidate Chaudhry Yasir Sultan won LA-3 Mirpur City. PML-N candidates Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed, Col (retd) Waqar Noor and Chaudhry Mohammad Razzaq won LA-4 Mirpur, LA-5 Barnala and LA-6 Samahni, respectively. In LA-7 Bhimber, senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Tariq Farooq defeated former prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who finished second. PPP’s Malik Zafar won LA-8 Raja Mahal, while PML-N’s Umair Naeem secured victory in LA-9 Nakyal.

PPP Retains Ground Amid Allegations of Rigging and Result Suspensions

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has accused authorities of serious electoral irregularities in the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and urged the Election Commission to withhold the announcement of results until an investigation is completed. Following the first phase of polling in Mirpur Division, the party alleged widespread irregularities and formally requested the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to suspend the release of election results. A PPP delegation, comprising senior leaders Nayyar Bukhari and Qamar Zaman Kaira, met the Chief Election Commissioner in Muzaffarabad and demanded that the results be withheld until the Returning Officer’s inquiry report is finalized.

Speaking after the meeting, Nayyar Bukhari claimed the PPP had secured a majority during the election process and was leading in seven constituencies. He alleged that unrest during polling in Kotli affected the outcome of the election. Bukhari also alleged serious irregularities during the voting process, claiming that PPP polling agents were forcibly removed from polling stations in one constituency. He said the party had submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission regarding the incident. Qamar Zaman Kaira said the PPP had taken the first constitutional step to ensure the electoral process was completed transparently and had chosen to seek institution.

Polling for the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections across Mirpur Division on Monday was extended by an hour till 6pm across Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli, according to Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan. The elections are being held in three phases under a revised schedule announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on July 21. The first phase covers all 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, while polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies will be held on August 2, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) Division on August 10. Polling commenced at 8am with police, the Pakistan Army, Rangers and other law enforcement personnel deployed at polling stations to ensure a peaceful electoral process. More than 1.4 million registered voters are eligible to vote across Mirpur Division’s 13 constituencies, comprising four seats in Mirpur district, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli. The Election Commission has established 2,454 polling stations and 3,701 polling booths, while around 22,000 election officials have been deployed to conduct the polling process. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Muzaffarabad on Monday ahead of the next phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. Bilawal was received on arrival.

Arrests, Security Clashes, and Administrative Penalties

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has completed internal consultations regarding the expected change of government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and decided not to vote for the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) nominee for the office of prime minister, sources informed Geo on Tuesday. According to party insiders, the PMLN meeting on the in-house change in Azad Kashmir was attended by senior leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, along with PMLN AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, members of the parliamentary party and central office-bearers.

Sources said the party leadership agreed that while the PMLN would support the PPP’s move for a change of government, it would not become a part of the new setup in Azad Kashmir. It was further decided that the no-confidence motion and the election of the Leader of the House were separate matters. The meeting also resolved to continue consultations with the PPP regarding upcoming elections in Azad Kashmir to ensure coordination on broader political strategy.