ISLAMABAD: Residents of Mirpur division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are exercising their right to vote today, Monday, in the first phase of a general election in the territory as authorities vow to hold a free, fair and peaceful election.
The chief election commissioner last week announced general election in the region will be held in three phases from July 27 across different divisions, following weeks of unrest in the internationally disputed region administered by Pakistan.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil rights movement banned by the authorities last month under anti-terrorism laws, has led protests in recent weeks that have caused clashes with law enforcers and led to around 30 deaths.
The protests, triggered in part by a dispute over refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, disrupted campaigning, shuttered businesses and raised questions about whether polling could proceed on schedule.
“Polling in Mirpur division began on time at 8:00 a.m., and the voting process is continuing in a peaceful environment so far,” Azad Kashmir Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal told reporters.
Mughal urged people to vote without fear or hesitation, assuring them that adequate security arrangements were in place.
The AJK assembly elections are being held in 45 constituencies, including 33 territorial seats and 12 reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan’s Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
There are over 1.4 million registered voters in Mirpur division, which include 724,811 men and 675,626 women, as per the Azad Kashmir information ministry. A total of 2,316 polling stations have been established across the division.
Women wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling station during the first phase of general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Mirpur division on July 27, 2026. (AJK Election commission)
Of these, 1,241 have been declared “highly sensitive,” 724 “sensitive,” and 351 “normal” polling stations, the ministry said.
A total of 288 candidates are contesting elections across 13 constituencies in Mirpur. Around 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed in Mirpur for securing during polling.
Around 2,100 Pakistan Army personnel have also been deployed for election security.
AZAD KASHMIR PROTESTS
The JAAC, which has boycotted the election, has led weeks of protests in the region, demanding the abolition of 12 AJK seats reserved for refugees. The group argues that these seats allow Pakistan’s mainstream political parties to influence government formation in AJK. Pakistani and Azad Kashmir authorities deny this.
However, JAAC’s campaign suffered a setback last month when the AJK Supreme Court observed that the seats enjoy constitutional protection and cannot be abolished through executive or administrative action.
AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan warned of “serious consequences of any attempt to disrupt the polling process or disturb the law and order situation,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.
Polling in Muzaffarabad division will take place on August 2, according to Chief Election Commissioner Mustafa Mughal. Voting for 12 seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir that are residing in Pakistan will also be held on August 2, while polling in Poonch division will be held on August 10.
