MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The polling in the whole of LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and 54 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II constituencies concluded earlier at 5 pm, after which the counting of votes is underway.
Earlier on Sunday during the second phase of AJK elections, the Election Commission postponed the polling in the above-mentioned constituencies after the polling material and staff failed to reach polling stations due to landslides and bad weather, which had resulted in blocked roads.
Chief Election Commissioner AJK Justice (R) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal cast his vote in LA- 27 (Kotla) in his native village,Bulgran.
Speaking on the occasion, the CEC said that voting is a national trust and the responsibility of every citizen. “The right to vote is a guarantee for strengthening the democratic system.”
Unofficial and preliminary results
LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla)
Polling Stations: 40 / 197
Ahead – Sardar Tabarak Ali (IPP) 7,675
Behind – Noreen Arif (PMLN) 3,149
Behind – Sardar Muhammad Javed (PPP) 3,000
LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat)
Polling Stations: 143 / 174
Ahead – Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi (PPP): 24,078
Behind – Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood (PML-N): 23,734
Allegations of rigging
The day was marked with allegations from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding alleged rigging in both constituencies.
PPP complained to the Election Commission that polling staff had been caught red-handed with official ballot papers and polling bags at the residence of a PML-N supporter in union council Bheri in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla).
The PPP claimed it had concrete evidence that polling staff at polling station no.3 had moved to the residence of a chief supporter and activist of the PML-N candidate and abandoned their post.
پولنگ عملہ مسلم لیگ (ن) کے حامی کے گھر سے پولنگ بیگز اور بیلٹ پیپرز سمیت پکڑا گیا، پیپلز پارٹی نے الیکشن کمیشن سے فوری کارروائی کا مطالبہ کردیا
مظفرآباد: پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی آزاد جموں و کشمیر الیکشن سیل نے حلقہ ایل اے 27 مظفرآباد ون (کوٹلہ) کے حوالے سے چیف الیکشن کمشنر آزاد جموں… pic.twitter.com/OZeRsnuKwn
— Pakistan Peoples Party – PPP (@PPP_Org) August 4, 2026
However, while talking to the media, Deputy Commissioner Muzaffarabad Munir Ahmed Qureshi dismissed the claims of rigging, saying that polling continued peacefully at 54 polling stations of LA-27 and LA-28 constituencies.
He rejected the reports that the polling staff of Bheri polling station stayed at the house of a political figure, adding that the polling staff stayed at Degree College Bhedi during the night.
Qureshi further added that the polling staff and election materials were transferred under the supervision of the Pakistan Army.
It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N has secured 23 seats in the two phases, while the PPP won 9 seats.
The polling in the remaining constituencies in Poonch division will be held on August 10 during the third phase of the general elections, for which preparations are underway.
According to the AJK Election Commission, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates won four seats, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured one seat in Muzaffarabad Division, and the result on the remaining two seats will be finalised later today.
