Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) president Chaudhry Yasin demanded transparent investigations into disputed constituencies, alleging that Punjab police had been called to AJK deliberately for specific purposes.
Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club along with former health minister Javed Budhanvi and Arshad Sohaib, Yasin said the third phase of elections in AJK was scheduled to be held on Monday.
He said the PPP had opposed the holding of elections in phases from the outset, alleging that the Election Commission had conducted the polls according to its own wishes.
Yasin alleged that Punjab police had been called to AJK deliberately for specific purposes and claimed that the incumbent chief election commissioner had “specific objectives”.
Reiterating the PPP’s stance on the ongoing elections, he alleged that “not organised rigging but outright rigging” was taking place in LA-9, claiming that the PML-N was being forced to win the election.
The PPP leader said PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah had announced the party’s victory months ago, claiming that the PML-N had broken all previous records of alleged rigging and demanding transparent investigations into the disputed constituencies.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner of AJK, retired Justice Mustafa Mughal said polling in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts, marking the final round of the elections in the region, would be held on Monday.
The third phase of polling is expected to be closely watched as political parties make their final push to consolidate support before the completion of the third phase of the electoral process and the formation of the next government in AJK.
The final phase will cover constituencies across the districts of Bagh, Haveli, Poonch (Rawalakot) and Sudhnoti.
Four constituencies – LA-14 Bagh-I, LA-15 Bagh-II, LA-16 Bagh-III and LA-17 Bagh/Haveli Kahuta – comprise the Bagh and Haveli region, while the remaining seven constituencies, LA-18 to LA-24, cover Rawalakot, Poonch and Sudhnoti.
In a video statement, the chief election commissioner said around 460,000 voters would elect their representatives for a five-year term.
He said election staff and polling material had been delivered to all polling stations under tight security arrangements.
According to Justice Mughal, eight security personnel, including army personnel, would be deployed at sensitive polling stations.
He expressed confidence that polling would remain peaceful and urged voters to exercise their right to vote freely and according to their choice.
He also appealed to people to come out of their homes and participate in the electoral process to exercise their right to choose their representatives.
Moreover, the AJK government has declared a public holiday on Aug 10 in Bagh and Haveli districts to facilitate voting in the constituencies where polling will proceed as scheduled.
A formal notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department said the holiday was intended to enable voters to exercise their democratic right and ensure the smooth conduct of polling.
However, polling in all six constituencies of Rawalakot and Sudhnoti districts for the third phase of the 2026 general elections has been postponed due to the deteriorating law and order situation and security concerns.
Polling on another seat in the Baloch constituency of Sudhnoti was also postponed following the natural death of the candidate.
The Election Commission said polling would proceed as planned in three constituencies of Bagh district and one constituency in Haveli district.
“The new polling date and revised election schedule for Rawalakot and Sudhnoti will be announced after reviewing the evolving security situation and completing all necessary administrative arrangements,” it said.
The AJK general elections are being held in phases across the territory. Polling in the first phase, covering Mirpur Division, has already been completed, followed by the second phase in Muzaffarabad Division and the refugee constituencies.
The results of the two phases have placed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in the lead, with the party securing 24 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party emerged as the second-largest parliamentary force with 10 seats.
The final distribution of seats is expected to shape the political balance in the AJK Legislative Assembly and influence the process of government formation.
