PML-N secures 9 of 13 Mirpur Division seats in first phase of AJK polls

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won nine of the 13 constituencies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's (AJK) Mirpur division in the first phase of the legislative assembly elections, according to unofficial results released by the AJK Election Commission on Tuesday.

Polling in Mirpur division was held on Monday as part of the three-phase election schedule. The voting process was marred by isolated incidents of violence, clashes and allegations of rigging, with the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) accusing each other of electoral malpractice.

According to Forms-26 and Forms-27 issued by the Election Commission, the PML-N secured victories in Dadyal and Khari Sharif in Mirpur district, Barnala, Samahni and Bhimber in Bhimber district, and Nakyal, Sehnsa, Charhoi and Khuiratta in Kotli district.

The PPP won four constituencies, including Mirpur city, Chakswari and two seats in Kotli district.

Among the key contests, PML-N's Tariq Farooq defeated former AJK prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq in LA-7 (Bhimber-III), while PPP's Qasim Majeed retained LA-2 (Mirpur-II) and Chaudhry Yasin won LA-10 (Kotli-III).

The remaining phases of the elections will be held on August 2 and August 10, covering Muzaffarabad division, Poonch division and all 12 refugee constituencies.