Second phase of Azad Kashmir elections: PML-N wins 5, PPP 2 seats
ISLAMABAD; (PPA)
After the polling ended on 8 seats of Muzaffarabad division and 12 seats of Kashmiri refugees in the second phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, the flow of unconfirmed and unofficial results continues. According to the results received so far, PML-N has managed to win 5 seats while PPP has managed to win 2 seats. PML-N is leading in the second phase of Azad Kashmir elections. According to unofficial results, PML-N has managed to win 5 seats in total while PPP has won from 2 constituencies.
The Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Kashmir has announced the results of 6 out of 12 refugee seats, PML-N candidates have won on 5 seats while PPP has won on one seat.
The PML-N is leading in the other eight seats, LA-25, 26, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, while the PPP is ahead in LA-32 and LA-33.
In the second phase of the Azad Kashmir elections, polling was scheduled for a total of 21 seats on Sunday, including 9 in Muzaffarabad division and 12 seats for Kashmiri refugees. However, on Sunday morning, the Election Commission postponed polling in Muzaffarabad’s ‘LA-27’ constituency until August 4.
Polling for 8 seats in Muzaffarabad division continued from 8 am to 5 pm until its scheduled time, however, the Election Commission extended the polling time by another hour to 6 pm, while the polling time for 12 refugee seats ended at 5 pm, while citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir living in all four provinces of Pakistan and the federal capital cast their votes for the refugee seats of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The political temperature has reached its peak for the battle of Poonch division on Monday, August 10, under the third and final phase of Azad Kashmir general elections 2026,
PML-N’s high-voltage wave: After achieving a clean sweep in the constituencies of refugees including Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions, the morale of the PML-N is sky-high. Due to the traditional advantage of being in power in the federation and the political alignment, experts are predicting that the PML-N will be in a position to easily win a simple majority by winning a majority of the 11 general seats of Poonch division.
As the home constituency (Bagh-IV) of the current Prime Minister and PPP President Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is located in Poonch division, this phase has become a matter of honor for the PPP.
To overcome the severe political setbacks suffered in the last two phases and to block the path of the PML-N, the PPP is pushing hard to prove Poonch as its stronghold.
Poonch division has been the focus of intense public protests in recent months over electricity bills and subsidy on flour. Given the intense public anger against traditional parties, it is predicted that nationalist factions and local independent candidates could upset both the PML-N and the PPP in several seats.
: To form a government in Azad Kashmir, any party must cross the magic mark of 27 seats. If the PML-N manages to win 5-6 more seats from Poonch, it will form the government alone, otherwise, the formation of a coalition government with the support of independent candidates will become inevitable.
Keeping in mind the traditionally aggressive political history of Poonch, the Election Commission has described this phase as very sensitive. Heavy contingents of the Pakistan Army and Rangers are expected to be deployed at polling stations to ensure peaceful conduct of the election process.
Details of 11 constituencies (LA-21 to LA-31) of Poonch division and influential candidates Details of constituencies of districts (Bagh, Sudhanti/Palandri, Poonch/Rawalakot, and Haveli) of Poonch division and expected important candidates are as follows: District Bagh (4 seats) LA-21 (Bagh-I): There will be a traditional contest between PML-N’s Raja Asfandyar Khan and PPP’s Sardar Qamar Zaman. LA-22 (Bagh-II): A close contest is expected between PML-N’s Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas (former minister) and a strong PPP candidate. LA-23 (Bagh-III): A tough contest is underway between PML-N’s Sardar Zia Al-Qamar and a rival PPP candidate. LA-24 (Bagh-IV): The home constituency of the current Prime Minister and PPP President Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, where PML-N’s Raja Sagheer Khan is giving him a tough challenge District Sudhanti/Palandri (2 seats) LA-25 (Sudhanti-I): There is a tough contest between Sardar Farooq Ahmed Tahir (former Speaker) of PML-N and independent candidates. LA-26 (Sudhanti-II): Dr. Najeeb Naqi Khan of PML-N and Sardar Amjad Yousuf of PPP are in the fray. District Poonch / Rawalakot (4 seats) LA-27 (Poonch-I): There is a tough contest between Sardar Ijaz Yousuf of PML-N and PPP. LA-28 (Poonch-II / Rawalakot): Battle for survival between Sardar Yaqub Khan (former President/Prime Minister) and Raja Wajid of PML-N. This constituency is also considered a stronghold of nationalist parties (Jammu and Kashmir Peoples National Party). LA 29 (Poonch-III): A tie-up will be seen between PML-N leader Arshad Mahmood and PPP leader Saud bin Sadiq. LA 30 (Poonch-IV): A fierce contest is expected between PML-N leader Aamir Altaf and PPP candidate. District Haveli (1 seat) LA 31 (Haveli-I): A traditional and hard-fought political clash will be seen between PML-N’s Khawaja Tariq Saeed and PPP’s Chaudhry Aziz.