The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Sunday released the final list of candidates for the upcoming general elections, the private media outlet reported on Sunday.
According to the Election Commission, 852 candidates will contest the elections across 45 constituencies. The Commission said 320 candidates withdrew their nomination papers.
Independent candidates will receive their election symbols on Monday, while the Commission has already allotted symbols to 24 registered political parties as part of the election preparations.
The deadline for submitting nomination papers for the 2026 AJK Legislative Assembly elections ended on 23 June, with 1,241 candidates filing nominations from across the region.
Election Commission officials said candidates submitted nomination papers from all 45 constituencies. Mirpur Division recorded the highest number of nominations with 406 candidates, followed by Muzaffarabad Division with 337 and Poonch Division with 294. Another 218 candidates filed nomination papers for the 12 seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees living in Pakistan.
Political parties have also stepped up their election campaigns after the nomination process ended. The Pakistan Muslim League (N) has already awarded party tickets for 37 constituencies, while it is still finalising candidates for the remaining eight seats.
Other major parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference and Jamiat Ahle Hadith, have yet to announce their candidates. Party sources said most political parties are expected to issue their remaining tickets within the next two days.
