MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the dominant party in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, securing 12 seats so far, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won four seats, according to preliminary and unofficial results.
Polling in the second phase was held across eight constituencies in the Muzaffarabad division and 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. Voting continued peacefully until 6pm in most constituencies.
However, polling in LA-27 was postponed after bad weather and landsliding prevented election staff and polling material from reaching the constituency on time. Elections at all 196 polling stations in the constituency have been rescheduled.
According to preliminary, unofficial results, the PML-N has established a clear lead, although vote counting is still under way in several constituencies.
In LA-25 Neelum Valley-I, PML-N candidate Shah Ghulam Qadir was leading with 1,433 votes after results from 11 of 143 polling stations. All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference candidate Abid Afzal was second with 1,018 votes.
In LA-26 Neelum Valley-II, PPP candidate Mian Abdul Waheed was ahead with 3,762 votes from 26 of 135 polling stations, while PML-N’s Shah Ghulam Qadir had 3,296 votes.
PML-N secured a decisive victory in LA-30 Muzaffarabad-IV, where Mustafa Bashir Abbasi won with 17,749 votes after all 129 polling stations reported results. PPP candidate Mubashir Munir Awan finished second with 11,947 votes.
In LA-34 Jammu-I, PML-N’s Nasir Hussain Dar was leading with 1,690 votes after results from 51 of 131 polling stations. Muslim Conference candidate Muhammad Saud Mukhtar was second with 741 votes.
PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Ismail won LA-35 Jammu-II with 23,893 votes, while independent candidate Sardar Muhammad Ghiyas finished second with 5,868 votes.
In LA-36 Jammu-III, PML-N candidate Muhammad Ahsan Raza secured victory with 27,218 votes, defeating PPP’s Ahsan Ismail, who received 12,980 votes.
PML-N candidate Maryam Javed won LA-37 Jammu-IV with 28,664 votes, while Jammu Kashmir United Movement candidate Usman Aleem secured 22,827 votes.
In LA-38 Jammu-V, PML-N’s Zeeshan Ali was leading with 5,483 votes after 48 of 115 polling stations had reported results. Muhammad Akbar Chaudhry of the Muslim League Azad Jammu and Kashmir was second with 4,935 votes.
PML-N candidate Raja Muhammad Siddique was leading in LA-39 Jammu-VI with 2,328 votes after results from 32 of 157 polling stations, while PPP’s Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman had 650 votes.
PPP candidate Amir Abdul Ghaffar was leading in LA-40 Kashmir Valley-I, securing 1,178 votes from 23 of 47 polling stations. PML-N’s Muhammad Naeem Khan was second with 65 votes.
PML-N’s Muhammad Amir Shah won LA-41 Kashmir Valley-II with 1,804 votes after all 19 polling stations reported results. Independent candidate Saba Diwan finished second with 588 votes.
In LA-42 Kashmir Valley-III, PML-N’s Syed Shaukat Ali Shah won with 1,524 votes, while PPP candidate Muhammad Asim Sharif received 477 votes.
PML-N candidate Muhammad Yasin Lone won LA-43 Kashmir Valley-IV with 1,276 votes, defeating PPP’s Javed Butt, who secured 563 votes.
In LA-44 Kashmir Valley-V, PML-N’s Muhammad Ahmad Raza Qadri won with 1,700 votes. Muslim Conference candidate Mehr-un-Nisa finished second with 650 votes.
PPP candidate Abdul Majid Khan won LA-45 Kashmir Valley-VI with 3,448 votes, while Muslim Conference candidate Khawaja Muhammad Dilawar received 823 votes.
The preliminary results indicate a strong performance by the PML-N in the second phase, while the PPP has also managed to secure victories in several constituencies.
The results remain unofficial, and the final outcome will be announced by the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after completion of the counting and verification process.
