Vote counting is underway in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts in Poonch Division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after polling concluded in the third phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.
However, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has claimed that polling did not begin at several polling stations in LA-15 and LA-16 of Bagh and has submitted a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
PPP candidate Zia Al-Qamar filed an urgent complaint over the alleged non-arrival of polling staff at polling stations No. 143 and 144 in Hatala Padar, LA-15. He claimed that polling had not started even one and a half hours after the scheduled opening time. The PPP further claimed that polling had not started at polling stations No. 141 and 61 in LA-16 by 9:30 am.
The party also accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of removing PPP polling agents from seven polling stations, numbered 8 to 14, in the Bani Maldhara area of LA-14 and allegedly stamping ballot papers. An emergency complaint has also been submitted to the Election Commission over the allegations. Earlier, a similar complaint was filed with the Election Commission against the PML-N concerning polling stations No. 119 and 120 in LA-16.
The heads of two major political parties, the Muslim Conference and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), are also contesting the elections. Former prime ministers Sardar Attique Khan and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Faisal Rathore, are among the prominent candidates. A total of 82 candidates are contesting the four constituencies in Poonch Division. In LA-17 Haveli, Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Rathore is facing Mohsin Aziz.
According to the Chief Election Commissioner, around 460,000 voters cast their ballots in the four constituencies. Security arrangements have also been completed across all four constituencies. Earlier, in the first phase of the 2026 Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, the PML-N won nine of the 13 seats in Mirpur Division, while the PPP secured four. In the second phase, polling was held for nine seats in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats were reserved for Muhajireen. The PML-N won 15 seats, while the PPP secured six. Of the 45-seat Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the PML-N is currently leading with 24 seats, while the PPP is in second place with 10 seats.