A session of the Azad Kashmir assembly could not elect a new prime minister after being forced to be adjourned due to a lack of quorum.

The session began after a delay of an hour and a half and bells had to be rung because very few members of the house were present.

Out of a house of 52, only nine members of the opposition showed up while no one from the government was present. The session will now resume on 2pm on Saturday.

Even the schedule of the elections was issued after a delay. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which is the largest party in the assembly is split into three factions and has fielded a total of five candidates.

However, Chaudhry Rasheed is expected to be PTI’s final candidate. On the other hand, Chaudhry Yaseen will be the PPP’s candidate.

The new PM will need atleast 27 votes to be elected. PTI has 32 members in the house while the combined opposition has 20 members.

Tanveer Ilyas was disqualified as prime minister due to contempt after he made remarks about the high court issuing stay orders that affected development projects.