Voting in the first phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was largely peaceful, but several constituencies witnessed tension, clashes, and isolated incidents of violence. Meanwhile, unofficial vote counting is underway across the region.
The most serious incident occurred in LA-9 Nikyal, where a clash between supporters of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) turned violent. According to initial reports, PPP worker Mukhtar Younis was killed in the firing, while three others were injured. Authorities have launched an investigation, and security has been tightened in the area.
PPP AJK Election Cell In-charge Sardar Abdul Shakoor alleged that PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem and his supporters displayed weapons and intimidated voters before the incident. He demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and a transparent investigation.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the incident, alleging that the party worker was killed in firing by the PML-N candidate. He questioned why election authorities had failed to act on previously circulated videos allegedly showing armed intimidation before polling day.
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman also called for an impartial investigation, stronger security arrangements, and re-polling at several polling stations where she alleged electoral irregularities.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission and local administration are investigating the incident as counting of votes continues across the division.
According to the latest unofficial and provisional results from LA-3 Mirpur, with 125 of 161 polling stations counted, PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed is leading with 8,812 votes, while PPP candidate Chaudhry Yasir Sultan is following with 8,500 votes.
Election officials have emphasized that these figures are unofficial and provisional, and the official results will be announced by the Election Commission after the completion of the counting process.
