MIRPUR: Over 1.4 million registered voters in 13 constituencies of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber cast their votes. A large number of women also participated in the voting process. A total of 296 candidates are contesting, including representatives from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Pakistan Stability Party, and independent candidates.
In Mirpur Division, 2,454 polling stations have been established. These include 597 stations in 4 constituencies of Mirpur district, 1,107 stations in 6 constituencies of Kotli district, and 608 stations in 3 constituencies of Bhimber district.
During the first phase of the Azad Kashmir elections, firing in the Nikyal area of Kotli resulted in one person’s death and injuries to three others, leading to the suspension of the polling process.
Javed Badhanvi, a candidate from LA-9 representing the Pakistan People’s Party, stated that a PPP worker named Muktiar was killed in the firing incident.
In Bhimber, during a scuffle at the Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station, miscreants snatched a ballot box and set it on fire. According to the District Returning Officer (DRO), the ballot box set on fire contained 232 votes.
Apart from the polling station at Baba Shadi Shaheed, the situation at all other polling stations remains normal. A decision on whether re-polling will be held at Baba Shadi Shaheed station will be made later.
Liaquat Ali Malik, IG of Azad Kashmir Police, stated that if any incident occurs in Azad Kashmir, the police will take action. No one, including political workers, is permitted to take the law into their own hands.
Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khushhal Khan, expressed confidence that the people of Azad Kashmir have rejected disruptive elements and shown trust in the democratic process. All state institutions are prepared for peaceful elections, and the law will take action against anyone attempting to obstruct the electoral process or disturb peace.
