ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Thursday alleged widespread irregularities in the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, demanding an independent inquiry into the polling process and accusing the federal government and the Election Commission of undermining the credibility of the exercise.
Speaking at a press conference, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari, along with spokesman Nadeem Afzal Chan, PPP’s AJK president Chaudhry Yasin and acting AJK PPP President Chaudhry Latif Akbar, alleged that administrative decisions before and during the elections created doubts about the transparency of the polls.
Bukhari said the controversy began after a statement by Rana Sanaullah, the adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, and the Election Commission’s decision to hold polling in three phases.
He claimed such measures placed pressure on institutions and affected public confidence in the electoral process.
He said the PPP had consistently demanded free, fair and transparent elections.
He also criticised the AJK chief election commissioner, saying his recent explanation regarding the electoral process failed to address the party’s concerns.
The PPP leader termed phased polling in Poonch Division a “new method of rigging”, alleging that extending the election process created opportunities for administrative interference and manipulation.
He urged the Election Commission to explain the reasons for holding polling in phases and conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations.
Bukhari also raised questions over voter turnout figures in several constituencies, citing reported turnout ranging between 90 and 94 per cent in LA-9 Kotli (Fatehpur) and between 84 and 99 per cent in LA-12.
He said such figures required scrutiny and alleged that the PPP had been deprived of seats through coercive measures.
He further said the formation of a government was not the responsibility of the chief election commissioner, whose constitutional duty was limited to conducting impartial elections.
Chan rejected allegations by Sanaullah linking the PPP with banned organisations, describing the claims as “false and politically motivated”.
He said the PPP had opposed terrorism and extremism and had made sacrifices in the fight against militancy.
Criticising the federal government, Chan alleged that it had failed to address public issues and was attempting to divert attention through political accusations.
He claimed that signs of political decline were already visible.
Chaudhry Yasin described the elections as the “worst” in the region’s history, alleging misuse of state machinery, ballot stuffing and large-scale manipulation.
He called for fresh polling in disputed constituencies and the formation of an election tribunal to investigate complaints.
Yasin also questioned turnout figures exceeding 95pc in some constituencies, saying they did not reflect ground realities.
He alleged that results were announced in some areas before the completion of vote counting from all polling stations.
Acting AJK PPP president Chaudhry Latif Akbar alleged that PPP workers faced harassment, violence and restrictions on polling day.
He questioned the use of security funds allocated for the elections, claiming inadequate arrangements contributed to violence and administrative failures.
He also alleged that ballot papers were recovered in Muzaffarabad, polling began late at several stations and cases of illegal voting were reported.
Akbar disputed the officially announced turnout in his constituency, alleging that figures were inflated to conceal irregularities.
The PPP leaders said the party would continue pursuing legal and constitutional options to challenge the election results, while reaffirming their commitment to democratic principles and the protection of the public mandate.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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