A man was killed in Kotli on Sunday as clashes between rival political parties erupted during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative assembly elections. The violence, centered in the Mirpur division, quickly overshadowed the voting process, turning polling stations into scenes of chaos.
The victim, identified as a local party worker, died after sustaining critical injuries during a confrontation. While local police have yet to release a definitive account of the weapon used, reports from the scene confirm that the incident followed a heated dispute between supporters of the ruling party and the opposition.
Allegations of systematic rigging fueled the tension. Opposition leaders claimed ballot boxes were tampered with in several constituencies, including LA-12 Kotli, where the fatal clash occurred. Videos circulating on social media showed scuffles outside polling stations, with voters alleging that party workers were obstructing access to the booths.
The Election Commission of AJK faced immediate pressure to suspend polling in the affected areas. Instead, officials opted to extend voting hours in specific stations, a decision that drew sharp criticism from opposition candidates who argued that the damage to the electoral integrity had already been done.
Local authorities deployed heavy security contingents across Mirpur and Kotli in response to the violence. Despite the presence of police and paramilitary forces, the breakdown in order highlighted the high-stakes nature of these polls, which are often viewed as a referendum on the performance of the federal government in the region.
By late afternoon, turnout remained uneven. In areas where violence was absent, long queues formed early; elsewhere, voters stayed home, citing fears for their safety.
As the counting of votes begins, the shadow of the Kotli incident looms over the legitimacy of the results. Whether the Election Commission chooses to investigate the reported rigging or simply certify the tallies will likely determine the stability of the next administration in Muzaffarabad.
