Muzaffarabad/Islamabad: Voting has begun in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) Legislative Assembly elections amid heightened security and political unrest. The polling will be conducted in three phases on July 27, August 2 and August 10.

The elections are taking place against the backdrop of months of anti-government protests, violence and growing public resentment in the region.

Three-Phase Polling

The 53-member Legislative Assembly comprises:

  • 45 directly elected seats
  • 8 reserved seats for women, technocrats and religious representatives.

In the first phase, polling is being held for 13 seats in the Mirpur Division.

The second phase will cover the Muzaffarabad Division and refugee seats, while the third phase will be held for constituencies in the Poonch Division.

Massive Security Deployment

Amid fears of violence, Pakistan has deployed around 14,000 police personnel, largely from Punjab province, to maintain law and order during the elections.

According to reports:

  • Around 30% of the deployed personnel are armed.
  • The remaining 70% have been equipped with anti-riot gear for crowd control and security duties.

Elections Amid Continuing Unrest

The elections are being held after nearly two months of widespread protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

The movement witnessed violent clashes with security forces, resulting in multiple casualties among protesters and security personnel, besides injuries to several others.

The protest movement had intensified after talks between the Pakistan government and JAAC failed to resolve key demands.

JAAC Opposed Reserved Seats

One of JAAC’s principal demands has been the abolition of reserved refugee seats in the PoJK Assembly.

Following the breakdown of negotiations, Pakistan authorities banned JAAC, a move that further escalated tensions across the region.

Major Political Contest

The election is primarily being contested between:

  • Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
  • Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has boycotted the elections.

India’s Stand

India has consistently maintained that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, are an integral and inalienable part of India.

New Delhi has also stated that the recent protests in PoJK reflect the decades-long exploitation, suppression and denial of democratic rights faced by the people living in the Pakistan-occupied region.