- First phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir polls begins amid violence, with at least 40 lives lost in clashes, including six police and paramilitary personnel.
- 14,000 personnel from Pakistan’s Punjab have been deployed in PoK to oversee the polling process.
- A chaotic first phase on 27 July was marked by scuffles, arrests, and allegations of rigging by allies-turned-rivals PPP and PML(N).
- Polling for 53 seats in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) unfolds against internet shutdowns and a spate of arrests, besides deadly clashes between Joint Awami Action Committee and security forces.
The first phase of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) began on July 27, 2023, amid significant unrest and violence.
At least 40 lives have been lost, including six police and paramilitary personnel, due to clashes between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and security forces.
Over 14,000 personnel from Pakistan’s Punjab have been deployed to oversee the polling process, which is expected to continue until August 10.2
The elections are taking place against a backdrop of internet shutdowns and a series of arrests, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
More than 3.8 million voters are registered for this election, a significant increase from 3.2 million in 2021.
The JAAC, which has been vocal about electoral reforms and social issues, was banned by the territorial administration in June under anti-terrorism laws.
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, the incumbent prime minister of PoK, emphasized that decisions regarding the reserved seats for refugees rest with elected parliamentarians.
The ongoing protests, which began in June, were sparked by the JAAC's demand for the abolition of 12 seats reserved for refugees across Pakistan, a move deemed constitutionally protected by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
For Islamabad, a peaceful polling process with a high turnout is crucial to bolster its claims of governing the territory credibly.
“The ongoing voting process in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is marred by internet shutdowns and a spate of arrests, with deadly clashes claiming at least 40 lives, including six police and paramilitary personnel. The chaotic first phase on 27 July saw scuffles and allegations of rigging between the PPP and PML(N).”
