Vote counting has begun after polling ended in the first phase of the AJK elections across 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. Voting continued peacefully from 8:00am to 5:00pm. People cast their votes in Mirpur, Bhimber, and Kotli. Election officials reported a smooth polling process.

The first phase covered four constituencies in Mirpur, three in Bhimber, and six in Kotli. A total of 288 candidates contested the 13 seats. The main contest remained between the PML-N and the PPP. Candidates from the IPP and several independents also stayed in the race.

Around 1.4 million voters registered for the elections in Mirpur Division. The electorate included more than 724,000 men and 675,000 women. Authorities set up 2,316 polling stations. They declared 1,241 highly sensitive and 724 sensitive. Officials also deployed more than 18,500 security personnel and 2,100 Pakistan Army troops.

Political parties stepped up campaigning before polling day. Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held large public rallies across the region. However, the PPP accused the federal government of influencing the elections. The PML-N rejected those allegations.

Election authorities are now counting ballots and will announce the official results after completing the process. The AJK elections mark the first phase of the region’s general polls. Officials said strong security arrangements helped ensure peaceful voting.