MIRPUR (Kashmir English): According to unofficial and unconfirmed results of the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly Elections 2026, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has emerged as the dominant party across Mirpur Division, winning 8 of the 13 constituencies whose results have largely been received so far.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured three seats, while results for two constituencies are still awaited.
In Mirpur Division, Azhar Sadiq (PML-N) won LA-1 Mirpur-I with 15,427 votes. Qasim Majeed (PPP) retained LA-2 Mirpur-II after securing 12,904 votes, while Chaudhry Yasir Sultan (PPP) won LA-3 Mirpur-III with 11,676 votes. Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed (PML-N) claimed victory in LA-4 Mirpur-IV with 20,172 votes.
In Bhimber Division, Waqar Ahmed Noor (PML-N) won LA-5 Bhimber-I with 29,821 votes, defeating PPP’s Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf, who secured 29,100 votes. Chaudhry Tariq Farooq (PML-N) also won LA-7 Bhimber-IIIwith 35,490 votes, while counting in LA-6 Bhimber-II remains incomplete.
In Kotli Division, Zafar Iqbal Malik (PPP) was declared successful from LA-8 Kotli-I with 19,535 votes. PML-N candidates continued their strong performance as Umair Naeem won LA-9 Kotli-II with 31,080 votes, Muhammad Asif secured LA-11 Kotli-IV with 26,190 votes, Muhammad Riyasat Khan won LA-12 Kotli-V with 35,168 votes, and Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan claimed LA-13 Kotli-VI with 21,856 votes.
The election results dealt a major political blow to several prominent leaders. PPP Azad Kashmir President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin lost his traditional constituency in LA-12 Kotli-V, while Ustadh Pakistan Party Central General Secretary Nisar Ansar Abdali was defeated in LA-13 Kotli-VI, finishing second with 15,859 votes.
Meanwhile, authorities have taken strict action following violent incidents in LA-6 Bhimber-II, where a polling station was reportedly set on fire and ballot boxes were allegedly snatched.
Assistant Commissioner Samahni Kaleem Abbash has been suspended over alleged negligence, while police have registered a case against Ali Shan Soni, a candidate of the Ustadh Pakistan Party, and others. Reports indicate that 20 individuals, including Ali Shan Soni, were arrested during overnight operations.
Although the unofficial results indicate a commanding lead for PML-N in the first phase of the elections, the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will announce the final official results after completing the legal consolidation and verification process.
