The first phase covers all 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, comprising 4 seats in Mirpur, 3 in Bhimber and 6 in Kotli.
More than 1.4 million voters have gone to the polls as the first phase of AJK elections begins. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Polling for the first phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections began peacefully in Mirpur division on Monday, with over 1.4 million voters expected to cast their votes amid extensive security measures involving over 19,000 security personnel and thousands of polling agents.
The elections are being held in three phases under a revised schedule announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on July 21. The first phase covers all 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, while polling in Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee constituencies will be held on August 2, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) division on August 10.
Polling began at 8:00 a.m. and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00 p.m., with police, Pakistan Army, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies deployed at polling stations to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Over 1.4 million registered voters are eligible to vote in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, comprising four seats in Mirpur district, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli district. The Election Commission established 2,454 polling stations and 3,701 polling booths, while around 22,000 polling agents were deployed to conduct the voting process.
Authorities declared 1,965 polling stations sensitive or highly sensitive. To maintain law and order, more than 19,000 security personnel have been deployed across the division, including 17,000 policemen, while 2,100 army troops remain on standby as a backup force.
Read: Over 17,000 security personnel deployed as AJK polling begins today
In the LA-1 Dadyal constituency, the polling took place in a peaceful atmosphere and under reinforced security measures. According to the Electoral Commission, 105,174 registered voters, including 53,211 men and 51,963 women, are eligible to vote in the constituency.
The Election Commission has established 139 polling stations and 234 polling booths in LA-1 Dadyal. Local authorities declared all 139 polling stations sensitive, and security personnel were deployed throughout the constituency.
A total of 288 candidates are in the fray for the 13 Legislative Assembly seats in Mirpur division. As in previous elections, the main contests are expected to be between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and, in some constituencies, influential independent candidates.
The elections are being held under the supervision of the AJK Election Commission, with civil and security authorities monitoring the voting process across the region.
