AJK Election Commission notifies results of first phase Assembly polls

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Wednesday formally notified the results of all 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division, confirming a decisive victory for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which secured nine seats against four won by the Pakistan Peoples Party in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections.

The notification, issued under the signatures of AJK Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel, formally declared the successful candidates elected and contained their names, parentage, political affiliation and respective constituencies.

In Mirpur district, which has four assembly seats, the PML-N won two constituencies through Azhar Sadiq and Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed. In comparison, the PPP secured the remaining two seats with Qasim Majid and Chaudhry Yasir Sultan emerging victorious.

The PML-N made a clean sweep in Bhimber district, winning all three constituencies. Colonel (retd) Waqar Ahmed Noor, Chaudhry Abdul Razzaq and Chaudhry Tariq Farooq were officially declared successful candidates.

In Kotli district, which has six constituencies, the PML-N bagged four seats while the PPP secured two. The ruling party’s successful candidates were Umair Naeem, Raja Muhammad Asif, Raja Riasat Khan and Raja Ayaz Ahmed. The PPP won through Malik Zafar Iqbal and Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin.

With the issuance of the official notification, the Election Commission has formally confirmed the election of all 13 members returned from Mirpur Division.

The results have given the PML-N a clear early advantage in the three-phase AJK election, with the party winning nine of the 13 seats contested in the first phase. The PPP, meanwhile, managed to secure four seats, maintaining a significant presence in parts of the division.

READ: PML-N secures strong lead in AJK polls, wins 9 of 13 seats in Mirpur as unofficial results pour in

The notification has also shifted the political focus towards the second phase of the election, scheduled for August 2, when polling will be held in the Muzaffarabad Division. The second phase will cover nine general constituencies in Muzaffarabad, Jhelum Valley and Neelum Valley, along with 12 reserved seats for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) residing in Pakistan.

The third and final phase will be held in the Rawalakot Division, comprising constituencies in Rawalakot, Sudhnoti, Bagh and Haveli.

With the first phase now formally concluded, political parties are expected to intensify campaigning for the remaining phases as the race for control of the AJK Legislative Assembly enters a crucial stage.