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2w ago

Voting Begins in Mirpur as AJK Polls Open Under Large Security Deployment

Heavy deployments aim to secure polling despite recent unrest that has raised credibility concerns.

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People chant slogans as they walk during a protest and strike called by the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, an alliance of civil society groups, in Neelum Valley, Pakistani Kashmir, June 21, 2026.
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Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir

Overview

  • Polling opened on Monday in 13 Mirpur Division constituencies with voting set from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at established polling stations.
  • Authorities say more than 17,000 security personnel and additional provincial contingents have been deployed to guard polling sites and transport election material.
  • Election officials report logistics complete and polling materials dispatched, with roughly 22,000 election staff mobilised and 2,454 polling stations prepared for about 1.4 million registered voters.
  • The main electoral fight is between PML-N and PPP in closely contested seats while PTI has largely boycotted, changing local dynamics and candidate alignments.
  • The vote follows weeks of JAAC-led protests, a government ban on the movement and reports of deadly clashes that prompted calls for investigations and leave turnout and legitimacy as the key issues to watch in the next phases on August 2 and August 10.