The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Tuesday announced that the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections will begin on July 27 as planned but will now be conducted in three phases across different divisions.

Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said polling in Mirpur Division will be held on July 27, followed by Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies on August 2, while Poonch Division will vote on August 10.

The announcement comes as political parties intensify campaigning in the final week before polling, while election authorities complete logistical and security arrangements for the contest to the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly.

Earlier this week, the Election Commission successfully completed advance polling for government employees assigned election duties in eight districts, describing the exercise as peaceful and orderly.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have stepped up their campaigns, with senior national leaders holding rallies and public meetings in an effort to mobilise support ahead of the elections.