Polling for the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections began on Monday in four constituencies across Bagh and Haveli districts of Poonch Division.The AJK chief election commissioner said that around 460,000 voters would exercise their right to vote in the four constituencies. Polling began at 8am and will continue until 5pm, according to the AJK Election Commission.

The chief election commissioner said that security arrangements had also been completed in all four constituencies to facilitate the polling process. Meanwhile, elections for five seats in Poonch district and two seats in Sudhnoti district have been postponed.As the voting process continued, PPP leader Senator Sherry Rehman raised concerns over delayed polling and alleged restrictions on PPP's polling agents at several stations.

Rehman expressed concern over delays in the start of polling at various stations in LA-16 and LA-15, urging that the lost time be compensated for and voters be given a full opportunity to exercise their right to vote.Sherry also alleged that PPP polling agents were prevented from entering polling stations 119 and 120, saying the move raised questions about transparency. "Preventing polling agents from monitoring the electoral process is against transparent elections," she said. The PPP leader also called for immediate alternative arrangements to address shortages of polling staff and electoral material.

The AJK chief election commissioner had previously said that once the issue of the sit-ins is resolved, they would be in a position to announce the polling date for Rawalakot within the next few days.In the first phase of the AJK elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won nine of 13 seats in the Mirpur division, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured four. In the second phase, voters cast ballots for nine seats in the Muzaffarabad division and 12 seats reserved for refugees. The PML-N won 15 seats, while the PPP secured six.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)