Second phase of AJK elections today

Muzaffarabad (Web Desk): More than one million registered voters are set to head to the polls today (Sunday) as the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections are being held across 21 constituencies.

The Election Commission has confirmed that preparations for the electoral exercise have been completed, with the distribution of polling materials and deployment of election personnel to polling stations now in the final phase.

Among the 21 constituencies going to the polls, nine are located in Muzaffarabad Division, where a total of 809,621 voters are registered.

Of these, 151,911 voters belong to two constituencies in Neelum district, while 177,500 are registered in two constituencies of Jhelum Valley. The remaining 480,219 voters will cast their ballots across five constituencies in Muzaffarabad district.

The electoral race in Muzaffarabad Division features 208 candidates contesting nine seats, while another 143 candidates are vying for the 12 refugee constituencies.

The contest includes nominees from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), candidates representing 25 registered political parties, as well as independents, promising a fiercely contested election.

To ensure smooth polling, the Election Commission has established 1,483 polling stations and 2,219 polling booths throughout Muzaffarabad Division.

A comprehensive security plan has also been put in place, with eight security personnel assigned to each highly sensitive polling station, six to sensitive stations and four to polling stations categorised as normal.

The Election Commission has designated LA-28, LA-29 and LA-31 in Muzaffarabad as highly sensitive constituencies due to security concerns.

Several constituencies are expected to witness intense competition, particularly LA-25 and LA-26 in Neelum district, where candidates from the PPP, PML-N and IPP are locked in key electoral battles.

Similarly, close contests are anticipated across constituencies LA-27 through LA-33 in Muzaffarabad.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission said the third and final phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, covering Poonch Division, will take place on August 10, adding that all required arrangements for that stage have already been finalised.

Earlier on July 27, the polling for the first phase of AJK elections was conducted across 13 constituencies in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber in Mirpur Division.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) established a commanding lead in the opening phase of the polls by securing 9 out of the 13 while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the remaining 4 seats.