Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir — The counting of ballots resumed Tuesday following a tense repolling process in Bagh, where candidates from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) maintained their lead. The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir ordered the repeat vote after reports of irregularities and violence disrupted the initial polling process in several stations.
Security remained tight across the district. Police and paramilitary forces maintained a heavy presence outside polling stations to prevent a repeat of the clashes that marred the first round. Local officials confirmed that voter turnout was steady, though residents expressed frustration over the electoral delays.
The contest in Bagh serves as a critical indicator of political momentum in the region. Both the PPP and PML-N have poured resources into the area, viewing a victory here as essential for securing broader influence in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
“The process was peaceful today, but the delay has taken a toll on the public,” said one local election observer. “People just want a result so the district can move past the uncertainty.”
While the Election Commission has yet to release the final, consolidated tally, preliminary counts from the repolled stations suggest that the margin remains tight. Any shift in these specific polling stations could alter the final seat distribution, potentially forcing a recalibration of power dynamics for the main political parties.
PML-N supporters claim their candidate’s lead is insurmountable, citing strong grassroots support in the district’s rural pockets. Conversely, PPP leadership insists their mobilization efforts during the repeat polls have closed the gap.
Election officials expect to announce the final, certified results by Wednesday morning. Until then, the district remains in a state of political limbo, with party workers keeping a close watch on the counting centers.
