Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Goes to the Polls Despite Protests
Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said all polling stations are ready and warned against misinformation as security forces deploy across Mirpur Division.
- On Monday, July 27, 2026, the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections commenced across the Mirpur division's three districts, where more than 1.4 million registered voters are choosing representatives for 13 constituencies.
- To safeguard 2,316 polling stations, election officials deployed 22,000 personnel under a three-tier security plan, declaring 1,241 stations 'highly sensitive' and 724 'sensitive'.
- Chief Election Commissioner Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal appealed for high turnout, stating, "Every vote is a national trust," and warned that any attempt to influence the polling process will be dealt with firmly.
- Following a proscribed group's call for a protest march, authorities dismissed reports of potential disruptions after the call drew no participants on Sunday.
- Voting continues until 5:00 pm across the division, with AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan expressing confidence in a peaceful electoral process and high voter turnout.
28 Articles
28 Articles
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Srinagar, Jul 29: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) remained on edge a day after voting in the Legislative Assembly elections, with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) reiterating that its protest movement would continue despite weeks of deadly clashes with security forces and heightened security across the region. Polling was held under heavy security after months of unrest triggered by the controversy over 12 reserved Assembly …
India invokes Gen Z in statement condemning PoK elections
India has strongly criticised the local body elections in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK), labelling them as a facade to conceal Pakistan's illegal occupation and severe human rights violations in the region. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's stance that all of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, including PoK, are integral parts of India. He also dismissed Pakistan's claims to a shared cultural legacy, citing …
Violence during the first phase of the PoK elections has sparked a political controversy. Following the death of one person in the firing, the PPP targeted the PML-N, while Bilawal Bhutto demanded an explanation from the Election Commission.
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