PML-N Leads Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Elections Despite JAAC Boycott Calls and Protests

Pakistan's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has emerged as the frontrunner in the ongoing legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), despite weeks of protests and boycott calls by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

According to election officials, PML-N-backed candidates have already secured 24 of the 34 seats declared so far, putting the party in a strong position to form the next regional government after nearly a decade.

The final phase of voting is scheduled for August 10, with 11 seats still to be decided.

Strong Voter Turnout Despite Boycott Campaign

Election authorities reported that voter turnout exceeded 50 percent in several constituencies, including the regional capital Muzaffarabad, despite heightened security concerns and repeated appeals from JAAC to boycott the elections.

Officials said polling was conducted in three phases due to heavy monsoon rains and security challenges, which disrupted campaigning and limited public rallies.

The participation levels indicate that many residents chose to cast their votes despite fears of violence and political unrest.

Why JAAC Opposed the Elections

The Joint Awami Action Committee, which has been leading protests across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for weeks, called for an election boycott after being declared a banned organisation by the regional administration.

The group's primary objection relates to 12 reserved assembly seats allocated to people displaced from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir following the 1947 partition.

JAAC argues that these reserved constituencies give disproportionate political influence to individuals residing outside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, thereby diluting the political representation of local residents.

Supreme Court Upholds Reserved Seats

The controversy intensified in June after the regional Supreme Court ruled that the reserved seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment.

Authorities maintain that these seats were created to represent displaced families who settled elsewhere in Pakistan after partition because Pakistan-occupied Kashmir lacked the capacity to accommodate them.

Government Accuses Protesters of Disruption

The regional government has accused JAAC supporters of attempting to disrupt the electoral process and has alleged that members of the Pakistani Taliban infiltrated some protest gatherings.

JAAC has not publicly responded to these allegations.

The government claims it has already accepted 36 of the organisation's 38 demands, stating that the issue of reserved seats can only be resolved through constitutional and legislative processes.

PML-N Eyes Return After a Decade

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated the winning candidates as early results pointed toward a decisive victory for his party.

If the current trend continues after the final phase of polling, PML-N is expected to form the next government in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, marking its return to power in the region after ten years.

Kashmir Remains a Sensitive Regional Issue

The elections come against the backdrop of the long-standing Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

Both countries administer separate parts of the region while claiming Kashmir in its entirety. Since independence in 1947, the dispute has remained one of South Asia's most sensitive geopolitical issues.

With one phase of polling still remaining, the latest results place PML-N firmly on course for victory, even as political tensions and protests continue across parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

FAQs

Which party is leading the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir elections?

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) is leading after winning 24 of the 34 declared seats.

Why did JAAC boycott the elections?

JAAC opposed the elections over the issue of 12 reserved assembly seats allocated to displaced people from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

When will the final phase of voting be held?

The remaining 11 assembly seats will go to polls on August 10.

What was the voter turnout?

Election officials reported turnout exceeding 50 percent in many constituencies, including Muzaffarabad.

Why were the elections held in phases?

Authorities cited security concerns and heavy monsoon rainfall as the primary reasons for conducting the elections in three phases.