PPP takes LA-15, PML-N wins LA-16
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have won one seat each in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to unofficial and preliminary results.
The results came after repolling was held at 23 polling stations in two constituencies. Voting was conducted on Saturday from 8am to 5pm. The repolling was ordered after voting could not take place at some polling stations during the earlier election process.
In LA-16 Bagh, PML-N candidate Mir Akbar Khan emerged victorious. According to unofficial results from all 186 polling stations, he received 20,793 votes.
His main rival, PPP candidate Qamar Zaman Khan, secured 16,964 votes. Akbar Khan defeated Qamar Zaman by 3,829 votes.
The result gave the PML-N an important victory in the constituency. The party candidate maintained a clear lead after counting was completed at all polling stations.
In the other constituency, LA-15 Bagh, the PPP secured victory. Its candidate Zia Qamar received 17,019 votes, according to unofficial results from all 213 polling stations.
PML-N candidate Mushtaq Minhas stood second with 15,127 votes. Zia Qamar defeated Minhas by a margin of 1,892 votes.
The two results mean that the PPP and PML-N have secured one constituency each in Bagh district.
Repolling at the 23 polling stations continued for the full voting period. Voters were allowed to cast their ballots between 8am and 5pm.
The polling stations had previously faced disruptions. In some areas, election material had not reached the polling stations on time. Voting was also suspended at some locations because of unrest and security concerns.
The Election Commission arranged the fresh polling to complete the voting process at the affected stations. The exercise was conducted under heightened attention because of the importance of the two constituencies.
The latest results are still unofficial and non-final. The relevant election authorities will formally verify the results before declaring the final outcome.