Voting begins in four AJK constituencies as more than 460,000 voters choose among 82 candidates amid heightened security concerns.
MUZAFFARABAD: Voting in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections began Monday across four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli districts, with authorities deploying thousands of additional security personnel amid concerns over possible clashes and disruptions.
Polling started at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 5 p.m. Election authorities have classified most of the 803 polling stations in the four constituencies as sensitive or highly sensitive, prompting an extensive security operation.
Around 10,300 additional security personnel have been deployed in Bagh and Haveli to protect voters, polling staff and election material.
The third phase was initially scheduled to cover all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. Authorities later limited voting to four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli after reviewing the security situation. Polling in the remaining seven constituencies is expected to be held later this month, potentially on Aug. 20 or 21, depending on the security environment.
460,000 Voters, 82 Candidates
A total of 460,371 registered voters are eligible to cast ballots in Monday’s polling. The electorate includes 238,664 men and 221,707 women.
The four constituencies contain 1,254 polling booths at 803 polling stations. Eighty-two candidates are contesting the seats, with LA-14 Dhirkot recording the highest number at 30. LA-17 Haveli has nine candidates.
The contests have drawn significant attention because several prominent political figures are seeking election.
In LA-17 Haveli, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is defending his seat against PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz and independent candidate Khawaja Tariq Saeed.
Rathore and Saeed were once political allies, but their relationship deteriorated after Rathore became prime minister and sought Saeed’s withdrawal from the race. Saeed declined, turning the contest into a direct battle between the former allies.
Mohsin Aziz is also mounting a strong campaign, with his family having a political history in the constituency.
Former Prime Ministers in Race
LA-15 Wasti Bagh has another closely watched contest, where former AJK prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas is competing against PML-N nominee and former minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas, PPP candidate and sitting minister Sardar Ziaul Qamar, and Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brigadier Dr. Mohammad Khan.
Ilyas had initially announced a boycott of the third phase but later returned to the campaign. He has described the contest as important to his political future.
In LA-16 Sharqi Bagh, former ministers Sardar Mir Akbar and Sardar Qamar Zaman are among the leading contenders. Mir Akbar is contesting on the PML-N ticket, while Qamar is representing the PPP.
LA-14 Dhirkot is also attracting attention, particularly because Muslim Conference chief Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan is seeking another victory from the constituency. The former AJK prime minister faces a strong challenge from Sajid Iqbal Abbasi of the Awam Dast-o-Bazu Party.
PML-N candidate Raja Faisal Azad and PPP nominee Raja Mubashar Ejaz are also in the contest.
Security and Election Integrity Under Focus
The elections have also faced scrutiny over allegations circulated on social media regarding alleged irregularities involving two presiding officers in LA-17 Haveli. Election officials rejected the claims as presented online but confirmed receiving complaints against the officials. Both were subsequently removed from election duties.
The outcome of the third phase could influence the balance of power in AJK. The PML-N has emerged as the strongest party in the earlier phases, while the PPP and other political groups are seeking gains in the remaining contests.
About The Author
