Mirpur: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the leading party in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, securing eight of the 10 Pakistan-based refugee constituencies declared so far, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won two seats, while results for two constituencies were still awaited.
Polling for eight constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in Pakistan concluded on Sunday. Voting in Muzaffarabad Division was extended by one hour until 6:00 p. m. to facilitate voters, while polling at refugee polling stations across Pakistan ended at 5:00 p. m. , after which vote counting began. Polling in one Muzaffarabad Division constituency was postponed until Aug. 4 after polling staff and election material failed to reach the station on time, according to official sources.
According to the unofficial results received so far, PPP candidates Majid Khan (LA-40 Valley-I) and Asim Ghaffar Lone (LA-41 Valley-II) secured victories. The PML-N’s winning candidates include Syed Shaukat Shah (LA-42 Valley-III), Raja Muhammad Siddique (LA-39 Jammu-VI), Ahmed Raza Qadri (LA-44 Valley-V), Muhammad Yasin Lone (LA-43 Valley-IV), Maryam Javed (LA-37 Jammu-IV), Zeeshan Ali (LA-38 Jammu-V), Ahsan Raza (LA-36 Jammu-III) and Chaudhry Ismail Gujjar (LA-35 Jammu-II).
Although the preliminary results indicate a clear advantage for the PML-N in the refugee constituencies, the Election Commission is yet to issue the official notification of results. Polling remained largely peaceful across the constituencies, while supporters of the successful candidates celebrated after the announcement of initial results. Election authorities said the compilation of final results was still in progress.