Overview
- Polling began Sunday across 21 constituencies — nine in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats — with more than 1.2 million registered voters and roughly 1,483 polling stations established for the second phase.
- Authorities deployed large security forces, including an 18,000‑strong contingent in Muzaffarabad and quick‑response units, and designated dozens of stations as highly sensitive to protect voters and staff.
- The election commission extended voting by one hour in Muzaffarabad, postponed voting in LA‑27 Muzaffarabad‑I because heavy rain and landslides blocked access, and reported that some polling teams had not reached their stations on time.
- Federal coalition rivals PML‑N and PPP traded formal rigging accusations during polling, the commission suspended or arrested some presiding officers after complaints, and a PPP worker was killed in Kotli in violence that disrupted voting there.
- The 12 refugee‑reserved seats remain a focal point for protests and a boycott led by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a dispute that is intensifying questions about the polls’ legitimacy and setting the stage for the third phase on August 10.