Azad Kashmir’s public will go to the polls today in a by-election in Bagh, with a tough contest expected between major political parties.

The LA-15 Bagh 2 seat was vacated after Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was disqualified by the Azad Kashmir High Court for contempt.

A total of 101,145 registered voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8am to 5pm.

A total of 18 candidates are contesting the election. However, a tough competition is expected between candidates of the three main political parties: Mushtaq Minhas from the PMLN, Zia Qamar of the PPP and Colonel (r) Zameer of the PTI.

The PPP and PMLN have fielded candidates against each other despite being part of the ruling coalition.

A total of 189 polling stations have been set up of which 29 have been classifed as sensitive and 20 as highly sensitive. More than 3,000 security personnel from police and Frontier Constabulary are on duty to ensure a peaceful election.