Polling underway in first phase of AJK elections across Mirpur division

Voting for the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections is underway on Monday (today) in 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, where over 1.4 million registered male and female voters are eligible to cast their votes.

A total of 1,401,439 voters in Mirpur division will exercise their right to franchise. The polling will be conducted in six constituencies of Kotli district, three constituencies of Bhimber district and four constituencies of Mirpur district.

In Kotli district, 647,000 voters will vote for six assembly seats, while 342,000 voters in Bhimber district will participate in elections for three constituencies. In Mirpur district, around 411,000 voters are registered for the four provincial seats.

As many as 135 candidates from different political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) AJK, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) AJK and Istehkam Pakistan Party, are contesting elections in Kotli district. In Bhimber, 63 candidates are in the run for three seats, while 98 candidates are competing for four seats in Mirpur district.

The Election Commission has established 2,554 polling stations and 3,701 polling booths across the division to facilitate voters.

The main contest in the division is expected between candidates of PML-N AJK, PPP AJK and Istehkam Pakistan Party, along with other political groups.

After the directives from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday announced a public holiday on July 27, due to the general elections.

The Department of Services and General Administration (S&GAD) issued a proper notification in this regard. The holiday is being observed in Mirpur division only.

In the first phase, elections for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly are being held today.