Alham Tariq

Azad Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the first phase of the 2026 Elections in the Mirpur Division on 27^th July 2026, and apparently, the PML-N emerged victorious. The region of AJK has been undergoing major protests since June 05 over the issue of 12 reserved seats, when JAAC (Joint Awami Action Committee) began demonstrations across the region, which were later designated a proscribed organisation by the Government. Since then, the day-to-day functioning of AJK has been halted. JAAC has boycotted the elections, and so did the previous incumbent government party, PTI.

A large number of security personnel, including the Pakistan Army, Punjab Police, AJK Police, Frontier Corps and Rangers, have been deployed in the region. The Election Commissioner of AJK, Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, cited the need to ensure the availability of army personnel at all polling stations for security reasons at the insistence of all participating political parties. While the JAAC protests have been ongoing in Rawalakot, the Mirpur division held elections across 13 constituencies.

The State Media has been actively broadcasting the first phase of AJK elections and its results since 27^th July. According to the media reports, the elections have been extremely transparent, and voter turnout has been extraordinary, showing that people have rejected the JAAC’s call. But the on-ground reality has been contrary to this claim.

Also read: Elections, JAAC, and the Reserved Seats Conundrum in Azad Kashmir

I have been to three constituencies in Mirpur division myself, covering elections and conducting research. The actual voter turnout in the three constituencies, LA-3, LA-6 and LA-7, has been extraordinarily low. Following JAAC's call, the people of AJK boycotted the elections. Even before election day, the tense environment in AJK prevented any election nominee from campaigning.

LA-7 is the constituency from Bhimber, AJK. Former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq, was an independent contestant from LA-7, and in his opposition, it was Chaudhary Tariq Farooq, a PML-N ticket holder. State media reported that Chaudhary Tariq Farooq won the election, receiving 35,287 votes, while Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq, the former Prime Minister of AJK, secured only 24,997 votes. While victory is actually true, the voter turnout is not. State Media is reporting a voter turnout of around 40%, which is far higher than the actual turnout.

When interviewing the locals, Muhammad, a shopkeeper from Bhimber, said, “We are boycotting the elections. 3 of our guys have already gone to Rawalakot to join the protests.” In front of one of the polling stations in Bhimber, Kachehri Polling Station, Ali, sitting at the Election Camp of Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq, said, “The boycott is indeed very effective. We have not seen many people today.” Bhimber city had seen an exceptionally low voter turnout. The streets were empty as if there was a curfew in place. While visiting polling stations in nearby villages, one could see a small crowd gathered to cast their vote. Shahzaib, a college teacher, said, “Though I support the JAAC, I think casting a vote is important. If you won’t cast your vote, you don’t know who does and where it goes.” He was referring to rigging and corruption. Ali, a boy from the same village, boycotted the elections and refused to cast a vote.

Also read: Political Mayhem in AJK: The Proscribed JAAC Movement and the Conundrum of Refugee Reserved Seats

While interviewing people from LA-6, Samahni, on the night of 26^th July, Abdullah responded, “It is everyone’s choice to vote. I’m boycotting the elections. I see my brothers and sisters protesting. I want peace in the region. Govt should sit with the JAAC and come to a peaceful solution.” A software engineering graduate from Mirpur University of Science and Technology said, “I am boycotting the elections. My guilty conscience doesn’t allow me to cast a vote for either of the two worst candidates.” Umar and Ahmad from Bandala also said that they are not casting a vote and boycotting this election. I received similar answers from 17 other people I interviewed that night.

Some news agencies are reporting that voter turnout at some polling stations has exceeded 90%, and I wonder which ones. Of the 23 polling stations where I visited on 27^th July, there was only one in Mirpur, Mirza Abdul Qayyum Government Pilot High School, where you can see some gatherings. And perhaps the reason was that Chaudhary Yaseen from LA-3, a PPP nominee, had his party secretariat right next to the polling station. It was the only polling station with media channel coverage. When asked an elder polling agent about the voter turnout, he answered, “See, the voter turnout has been shrinking for many years. The younger generation does not want to cast votes. Hence the turnout is relatively low.” While an advocate from Mirpur said, “I support Chaudhary Yaseen in this constituency. I am a worker of PPP. I have cast my vote, and my fellows have done too, but I must say that the voter turnout is exceptionally low. People haven’t come out to cast their votes.”  

BBC Urdu has reported impartially on the Mirpur elections and stated that voter turnout has been very low. While state media reports that the elections have been peaceful and transparent, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is also assailing the PML-N, calling the elections “rigged”.

The next two phases of elections are due in Azad Kashmir, 9 constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies on August 2, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division on August 10. JAAC, the proscribed organization, is carrying on its protests. And from the collected data, the people are answering their call for an election boycott.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Himalayan Research Institute Pakistan (THRIP)

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Alham Tariq is a poet, writer and political analyst from Pakistan. He is a Gold Medalist in BS International Relations from the University of Central Punjab, Lahore, and has a keen understanding of domestic and regional politics. His work primarily focuses on geopolitics, comparative governance and public policy.