1 killed in election violence in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, vote rigging alleged
Collected Photo
The first phase of elections was held on Monday in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Voting took place for 13 seats in the Mirpur Division on that day. The election has been marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. It has been learned by media that one person has been killed in the violence. So far, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is leading in the elections.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has claimed that their worker, Mukhtar Yunus, was killed by gunfire from supporters of PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem in the Nikial area. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the incident and said, "My worker has been martyred. Where is the administration? What is the Election Commission doing?"
He stated that a video of PML-N party members displaying weapons had already surfaced earlier, but the authorities took no action.
Mirpur Division Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz confirmed that one person was killed in the violence. Two others, including the deceased's father, were injured.
Both the PPP and PML-N have accused each other of interfering at polling stations, intimidation, and vote rigging. Voting was temporarily suspended at several centers due to clashes and violence. There were also reports of a ballot box being set on fire.
Pakistan's Prime Minister's political advisor, Rana Sanaullah, has alleged of vote rigging by the PPP.
The Election Commission stated that 17,000 police personnel and 2,100 soldiers were deployed to ensure security.
According to unofficial results received so far, PML-N is leading by winning 9 out of the 13 seats in the Mirpur Division. The PPP has reportedly won the remaining 4 seats.
Earlier, in the last elections in 2021, PML-N was in third position with 6 seats. At that time, Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan (PTI) won with 26 seats.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases. The second phase will be held on August 2 in the Muzaffarabad Division, and the third phase will be held on August 10 in the Rawalakot Division.
