The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the dominant party in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, winning nine of the 13 seats in Mirpur division, according to the final results announced by the AJK Election Commission.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured the remaining four seats.

Following the announcement of the final results, the Election Commission issued notifications declaring the successful candidates.

According to the official results, PML-N’s Azhar Sadiq won from LA-1 Mirpur-I, while PPP’s Qasim Majeed was elected from LA-2 Mirpur-II. PPP’s Chaudhry Yasir Sultan secured victory in LA-3 Mirpur-III, and PML-N’s Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed won LA-4 Mirpur-IV.

In Bhimber, PML-N candidates Waqar Ahmed Noor, Muhammad Razzaq Chaudhry and Tariq Farooq were declared successful from LA-5 Bhimber-I, LA-6 Bhimber-II and LA-7 Bhimber-III, respectively.

PPP’s Zafar Iqbal Malik won LA-8 Kotli-I. PML-N’s Umair Naeem secured victory in LA-9 Kotli-II, while PPP’s Muhammad Yasin Chaudhry won LA-10 Kotli-III.

PML-N also swept the remaining three Kotli constituencies, with Muhammad Asif winning LA-11 Kotli-IV, Muhammad Riasat Khan taking LA-12 Kotli-V and Ayaz Ahmed emerging victorious in LA-13 Kotli-VI.

The first phase of the AJK elections was held on July 27 across the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, covering the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber.

Polling, originally scheduled from 8am to 5pm, was extended by one hour on the directions of the Chief Election Commissioner because of a high voter turnout. Voters already inside polling stations at the close of polling were allowed to cast their ballots before counting began.

More than 1.4 million registered voters, including 725,118 men and 675,628 women, were eligible to vote.

The Election Commission had established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur division, while more than 19,000 security personnel, including Pakistan Army troops and police, were deployed to ensure peaceful and transparent polling.

With nine of the 13 seats, PML-N has secured a clear lead in Mirpur division, strengthening its position ahead of the remaining phases of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections.