Mirpur, Azad Kashmir: Polling has begun in the first phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, with voters in 13 constituencies across the three districts of the Mirpur Division — Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber — casting their ballots to elect their representatives.
A total of 1,401,439 registered voters are eligible to vote in the Mirpur Division, including 725,118 men and 675,628 women.
Polling Stations and Constituencies
To facilitate the election, 2,454 polling stations have been established across the division. These include 597 polling stations across the four constituencies of Mirpur District, 1,107 across the six constituencies of Kotli District, and 608 across the three constituencies of Bhimber District.
Candidates in the Race
A total of 296 candidates are contesting the elections, including nominees from major political parties as well as independents. The main contenders include the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N), and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), alongside several independent candidates.
Security and Administration
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retired) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process or disturb the electoral environment would face legal action in accordance with the law.
Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Khushhal Khan said all state institutions are fully prepared to ensure the elections are conducted in a peaceful manner.