The first phase of the assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has concluded with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, emerging as the frontrunner. According to unofficial and preliminary results, the PML-N has secured a dominant position by winning 9 out of the 13 seats contested in this phase. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) followed with 4 seats. While the political outcome shows a clear preference for the PML-N in several constituencies, the democratic process was overshadowed by reports of widespread violence, including firing incidents and the destruction of electoral materials.
Detailed Breakdown of Election Results
The first phase of polling was conducted across 13 constituencies located in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber. The voting process continued until 5 PM, after which an additional hour was granted to voters who were already present at the polling stations. Following the conclusion of the voting period, the counting process commenced immediately, while the preliminary results indicate a strong performance by the PML-N across the three districts.
The 9 seats won by the PML-N include LA-1 Mirpur-1, LA-4 Mirpur-4, LA-5 Bhimber-1, LA-6 Bhimber-2, LA-7 Bhimber-3, LA-9 Kotli-2, LA-11 Kotli-4, LA-12 Kotli-5, and LA-13 Kotli-6. On the other hand, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) managed to secure victories in 4 constituencies, namely LA-2 Mirpur-2, LA-3 Mirpur-3, LA-8 Kotli-1, and LA-10 Kotli-3. These results highlight the competitive nature of the elections in these regions, despite the overall lead maintained by Nawaz Sharif's party.
Incidents of Violence and Fatalities
The electoral process was unfortunately marred by severe violence in certain areas. In the Nakyal area of the LA-9 Kotli-2 constituency, a firing incident occurred at a polling station. This tragic event resulted in the death of one individual, while three others sustained injuries. Following the violence, the police were forced to temporarily suspend the polling process at that location. The PPP has claimed that the deceased individual, identified as Mukhtar Yunus, was a dedicated party worker. The party further alleged that he was shot by supporters of the PML-N, while however, these allegations have not yet received official confirmation from the local authorities.
Clashes and Destruction of Ballot Boxes
In another significant incident in the LA-6 Bhimber constituency, supporters of two rival political parties engaged in a violent clash. During the confrontation, some individuals managed to snatch a ballot box and set it on fire. According to election officials, the burnt ballot box contained 232 votes. As a result of this disruption, polling was halted at two specific polling stations in the area. The District Election Officer has stated that a thorough investigation into the matter is underway and legal action will be taken against those responsible for the destruction of electoral property. A decision regarding re-polling at the affected stations will be made at a later date. Despite these localized incidents, officials maintained that the situation remained normal at most other polling stations.
Reaction from Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep grief over the death of the party worker and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He emphasized the necessity for elections to be conducted in a completely fair and non-controversial manner. Bilawal Bhutto also pointed out that the long-standing dispute regarding the 12 refugee seats should have been resolved prior to the elections. He warned that if the elections remain controversial, it would inevitably raise questions about the mandate of the newly formed government. The PPP leader's comments reflect the growing concerns over the transparency and safety of the electoral process in the region.