Violence, rigging claims rock PoK polls as PML-N surges in first phase

The polling, seen as a major test of law and order in the politically sensitive region, was marred by violence, allegations of rigging, clashes between rival political groups and claims of excessive force by security agencies.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured the remaining three seats in the Mirpur division.

Around 3.8 million voters were eligible to elect members to the region's Legislative Assembly. Polling is being conducted in three phases amid weeks of unrest and heightened tensions over security arrangements.

A total of 296 candidates, including nominees from the PPP, PML-N, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and independents, contested seats in the Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts during the first phase.

Voting across the Mirpur division took place under heavy security deployment.

Violence, Rigging Allegations

The election was overshadowed by deadly clashes between supporters of rival political parties. A PPP worker was reportedly killed during the first phase of polling.

Local media also reported incidents of violence in Nakyal and Bhimber, where ballot boxes were allegedly set on fire.

Police arrested 24 people, including an election candidate, in connection with the violence, The News International reported.

Meanwhile, the PoK Election Commission suspended two presiding officers after they were arrested over alleged rigging.

According to an Election Commission spokesperson, the two officials had taken polling bags to a private residence instead of the designated polling station. After the bags were returned, another official assumed custody of them, appointed new presiding officers and dispatched them to the polling station, The News International reported.

Bilawal Condemns Killing of PPP Worker

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the killing of party worker Mukhtar Younus, alleging that the victim was shot by supporters of PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.

"My worker has been martyred in Mirpur Nikyal. Where are the authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?" Bilawal was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune.

Polls Held Amid Widespread Anti-Government Protests

The election comes at a time when Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has witnessed widespread anti-government protests, with demonstrators openly challenging Islamabad's authority and declaring that the region "is not a part of Pakistan."

India Criticises Pakistan Over Crackdown

Earlier this month, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised Pakistan over the developments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, linking the ongoing protests to what it described as decades of administrative oppression.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, "The ongoing protests in PoJK are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation."

He further accused Pakistan of responding to public grievances with force rather than dialogue.

"Rather than addressing the legitimate grievances of the local populace, the Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, including against helpless women and children, blocking essential supplies, including food and medicine, enforcing internet blackouts, and deploying lethal force against unarmed civilians, which has resulted in tragic fatalities," Jaiswal said.

India also urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions against civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

During the protests, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an umbrella organisation spearheading the civil movement, local leader Sardar Aman Khan appealed to people in India to stand in solidarity with the residents of the region.

"We have faced atrocities. Our food has been stopped," Khan said, urging people across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to support the residents of PoK in their struggle, according to Firstpost.

Former Indian Army officer Maj Gen AK Siwach (Retd) told Firstpost that the demonstrations intensified after security forces launched a military crackdown, triggering deadly clashes and internet blackouts across the region.