PML-N leads first phase of AJK Legislative Assembly polls

ISLAMABAD-- The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured a clear lead in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, according to unofficial and provisional results, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as the second-largest party.

Polling was held on Monday in 13 constituencies across the Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts. Voting officially concluded at 5pm, although polling was extended by an additional hour to allow voters already present at polling stations to cast their ballots. The vote count was completed later in the evening.

According to complete unofficial and provisional results from all 13 constituencies in the Mirpur Division, PML-N won nine seats, while PPP secured four.

PML-N candidates were declared successful in LA-1 Mirpur-I, LA-4 Mirpur-IV, LA-5 Bhimber-I, LA-6 Bhimber-II, LA-7 Bhimber-III, LA-9 Kotli-II, LA-11 Kotli-IV, LA-12 Kotli-V and LA-13 Kotli-VI.

PPP candidates won LA-2 Mirpur-II, LA-3 Mirpur-III, LA-8 Kotli-I and LA-10 Kotli-III.

The results remain unofficial and provisional until formally notified by the election authorities.