Final Phase of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Polls Delayed in Several Constituencies Over Security Concerns

Final Phase of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Polls Delayed in Several Constituencies Over Security Concerns

Lahore, August 10 [VoM News]: Reports are coming that voting in the final phase of elections for the Legislative Assembly in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir was disrupted on Monday.

Citing the security concerns and the prevailing law-and-order situation, the authorities have postponed polling in several constituencies.

As per Election Commission, polling in seven of the remaining 11 constituencies was deferred to an unspecified date following security assessments in parts of Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.

The third phase was scheduled to conclude the three-stage election process. However, delays came amid ongoing unrest in the region following weeks of protests, clashes and restrictions, including road closures and internet shutdowns.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured 24 of the 34 seats decided in the earlier phases and is on course to form the regional government.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which has won 10 seats so far, has alleged electoral irregularities.

PPP leader Hassan Murtaza claimed that delays at several polling stations were indicative of electoral fraud.

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless and expressing confidence that his party would form the next government.

Candidates affiliated with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which won the previous regional elections, boycotted the polls, alleging widespread rigging.

The elections have taken place against the backdrop of violent protests in recent weeks.

Leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claimed that more than 30 people were killed in clashes with security forces around Rawalakot following the first phase of polling in late July.

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Reuters said it could not independently verify the reported death toll.

Road access and internet services in parts of Rawalakot remain disrupted.

The JAAC, which has been protesting against the region’s electoral framework, was banned by the regional government in June.

The group has objected to the allocation of 12 reserved seats in the 45-member Legislative Assembly for constituencies representing refugees from Jammu and Kashmir.

JAAC alleges these seats have been used to influence regional politics, an allegation Pakistani authorities have denied.