AJK Election Commission

PML-N and PPP each secured one seat in Muzaffarabad division following delayed elections caused by landslides and weather disruptions. PML-N's Noreen Arif won LA-27 (Kutla) with 18,919 votes, while PPP's Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi secured LA-28 (Lachhrat) with 28,214 votes. The second phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections included 12 refugee-reserved seats and faced protests over the inclusion of these seats.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused PML-N of rigging in Azad Kashmir elections, warning their 'countdown' has begun. The PPP and PML-N, allies in the Centre, are in conflict over election disputes, with Bilawal planning a rally in AJK's Bagh town ahead of August 10 elections. The AJK Election Commission noted law and order issues may affect polling.

The second phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections will be held on Sunday in nine Muzaffarabad division constituencies and 12 refugee constituencies, with over 340 candidates competing for 21 seats. Security measures include internet suspension and 1,483 polling stations in Muzaffarabad division and 1,057 in refugee areas, with 809,621 and 438,834 registered voters respectively.

The PPP accused the AJK Election Commission of facilitating rigging in the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, with PML-N winning nine seats in provisional results. PPP's Hassan Murtaza alleged polling stations were seized, voting time extended to favor PML-N, and the commission failed to address violations.

PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) announced an electoral alliance to contest the July 27 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections. The decision followed a meeting between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, emphasizing peaceful democratic resolution of AJK issues and coalition governance in multiple regions.

1,265 nomination papers were submitted for AJK Legislative Assembly elections, a 30% increase from 2021. The submissions included 1,047 for territorial constituencies and 218 for refugee seats in Pakistan. Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan was sworn in as senior member of the AJK Election Commission.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end demonstrations, stating the unrest harms Pakistan's reputation and the Kashmiri cause. He emphasized resolving political disputes through democratic means and highlighted the importance of Pakistan's role in a U.S.-Iran peace pact amid global attention.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under the region’s anti-terrorism act, citing its involvement in terrorism and disruption of the electoral process. The group’s demand to abolish refugee-representative seats in the Legislative Assembly and its planned strike on June 9, coinciding with election nominations, intensified tensions.