- WEB DESK
- July 27, 2026
AJK elections: One killed as Mirpur votes amid low turnout, clashes and long march
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- WEB DESK
- July 27, 2026
WEB DESK: Polling in Mirpur Division concluded in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections amid allegations of rigging, incidents of violence and concerns over low voter turnout. Although the polling process was described as peaceful, one person was killed in firing in the LA-9 Nikyal constituency.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) claimed that its worker, Mukhtar Younis, son of Kamran, was killed amid the alleged display of weapons and intimidation of voters by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.
Mirpur Division comprises the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber and includes 13 constituencies. A total of 288 candidates from the PPP, PML-N, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and other parties, as well as independents, contested the election.
Voting took place as the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, which has been holding protest sit-ins in Rawalakot for nearly two months, prepared for a long march towards Muzaffarabad.
Protesters from the Mirpur and Rawalakot divisions were expected to join the march, which was announced after negotiations between the committee and government representatives failed on Saturday. The committee emerged in 2023 with a 38-point charter of demands. The government accepted several of those demands, including reductions in flour and electricity prices, after a long march in May 2024.
Other demands remained unresolved, including an end to privileges for the elite, electoral reforms and the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The committee announced another long march for June 9 to press for the remaining demands. Four days before the march, one of its core members was attacked while returning from a gathering.
The situation subsequently deteriorated, with clashes between protesters and security forces resulting in around 30 deaths.
Protesters have remained camped at several locations in Rawalakot since June 9. Their demands now also include the withdrawal of the decision to ban the committee, compensation for the families of those killed and the cancellation of cases registered against demonstrators.
Videos and photographs shared on social media showed large gatherings at Dreek and Matialmera in Rawalakot.
The committee had initially announced that the long march would leave for Muzaffarabad on Monday afternoon. It later decided that protesters from other parts of the region would first gather in Rawalakot overnight and depart for the capital the following morning.
More than 1.4 million voters registered
A total of 2,316 polling stations were established across Mirpur Division’s 13 constituencies, where 1,401,439 voters were registered.
During polling, the PPP and PML-N traded allegations that the other party’s polling camps had remained empty.
In Mirpur district, turnout was reported to be relatively stronger in the LA-3 city constituency.
Four polling booths were established at Government Pilot High School No 2, where more than 3,200 voters were registered. A similarly strong turnout was reported at four booths in Ghazi Elahi Bakhsh Ward No 4.
Lower turnout reported in Bhimber and Kotli
In Bhimber district, fewer voters reportedly turned out in the LA-5 Barnala, LA-6 Samahni and LA-7 Bhimber constituencies. Local estimates suggested that turnout across the three constituencies did not exceed 50 per cent.
Kotli district, which has six constituencies, reportedly recorded the lowest turnout among the three districts. Participation at most polling stations was described as disappointing.
A large number of residents from Kotli had travelled to Rawalakot to participate in the long march.
Police respond to disturbances
Asked about reports of clashes and attempts to set fire to polling stations, the AJK inspector general of police said personnel had been deployed at every polling station.
He said Quick Response Force teams were available to respond immediately in the event of any disturbance and had intervened at the affected polling stations.
The police chief said altercations were common during such electoral exercises but warned that action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the election, regardless of political affiliation.
Commenting on turnout, he said voting usually gained momentum after 2pm or 3pm, with many people arriving shortly before polling closed at 5pm: “Some voters arrived early, while others chose to come later. I cannot compel people to vote.”
He added that they are participating voluntarily as part of the political process.
Elections divided into three phases
The AJK Election Commission decided to hold the elections in three phases because of the protest movement led by the proscribed action committee.
Following the first phase in Mirpur Division, polling in Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions will be held on August 2 and August 10, respectively.
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