Voting began at 8:00am and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00pm in AJK
MUZAFFARABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 27th, 2026) The polling has commenced for the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with voters in 13 Constituencies across the Mirpur Division casting their ballots.
Voting began at 8:00am and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00pm.
The first phase covers the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber, where 296 candidates are contesting the elections. The field includes nominees from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), as well as independent candidates.
According to election authorities, 1,401,439 registered voters are eligible to vote in the 13 constituencies. The electorate comprises 725,118 male voters and 675,628 female voters.
A total of 2,454 polling stations have been established across the three districts, including 597 in Mirpur, 1,107 in Kotli and 608 in Bhimber.
Authorities have put comprehensive security arrangements in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Chief Election Commissioner of AJK, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process would face legal action.
AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections, adding that strict action would be taken against anyone trying to obstruct the electoral process or disturb public order.
