- Muzaffarabad polling concluded for two Muzaffarabad constituencies after being deferred due to landslides and adverse weather.
- PML-N’s Noreen Arif won LA-27 (Kutla) with 18,919 votes.
- PPP’s Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi won LA-28 (Lachhrat) with 28,214 votes.
- PML-N and PPP each secured one Muzaffarabad seat in those two constituencies.
- Total seats won: PML-N 24; PPP 10.
- Third phase will be on August 10 in the Poonch division with 11 seats.
- First phase results: PML-N 9 of 13; PPP 4 in Mirpur division.
- Second phase results: PML-N 15 more; PPP 6 more.
- Three-phase voting is being held because of security concerns and heavy monsoon rains, which have complicated campaigning and made it difficult to hold large outdoor rallies.
- JAAC protests and ban: The regional government recently banned the group, citing security and public‑order concerns.
- Return to power for the PML-N after a decade in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
- Reserved seats controversy persists; the group JAAC has demanded abolition of 12 refugee seats, while the Supreme Court ruled they are protected under the constitution.
- Turnout exceeded 50% in many areas, including Muzaffarabad, despite security concerns and a boycott call by JAAC.
Final results show the PML-N on 24 of 34 seats with the PPP on 10 after three-phase voting in AJK, a tally that keeps the PML-N in charge of a regional government it last held a decade ago.4578911
Muzaffarabad division saw one seat won by each party, as polling was partially delayed by landslides and heavy rains.
In LA-27 Kutla, PML-N's Noreen Arif finished with 18,919 votes, beating IPP's Sardar Tabarak Ali by 298; PPP's Sardar Javed Ayoub was runner-up with 18,037.
In LA-28 Lachhrat, PPP's Bazil Ali Naqvi won with 28,214 votes; PML-N's Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood 26,866 as first runner-up; third runner-up 873.
Phase breakdown: nine of 13 seats in phase one (Mirpur) for the PML-N; four for the PPP; after phase two, the PML-N added 15 seats while the PPP added six.
Upcoming: third and final phase in Poonch on August 10 with 11 seats.6
Turnout and protests: turnout above 56% in Muzaffarabad; above 50% in many areas despite JAAC calls for boycott, security concerns.14
Analysts said the election reinforced public confidence in democracy; voters cast ballots despite weeks of protests, violence, and JAAC boycott.
Constitutional dispute over refugee seats; the JAAC seeks abolition; Supreme Court ruled they are protected by the constitution.
JAAC banned; security concerns; infiltration allegations; refugees seats in focus; the region’s political debate remains contentious.
Overall, the election signals continuity and renewed legitimacy for the PML-N in AJK as the process navigates security, geography, and refugee-rights politics.
“Noreen Arif of PML-N won LA-27 with 18,919 votes, edging out IPP's Sardar Tabarak Ali by 298 votes, while PPP's Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi took LA-28 with 28,214 votes. The final phase for 11 seats in Poonch division is set for August 10.”
NPR
