The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is leading in two of four constituencies in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results.

The PML-N is ahead in one constituency, while an independent candidate has delivered a major upset by defeating former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in his home constituency.

Polling in the third phase was conducted across four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli districts of the Poonch division.

PPP Leads in Bagh-2

In LA-15 Bagh-2, PPP candidate Zia Qamar was leading with 16,696 votes based on unofficial results from 203 of the constituency’s 213 polling stations.

PML-N candidate Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was in second place with 15,099 votes, leaving the contest relatively close as counting continued.

The final result will depend on the remaining polling stations and the official consolidation of votes by election authorities.

PML-N Ahead in Eastern Bagh

In LA-16 Eastern Bagh, PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar Khan was leading against PPP contender Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan.

The constituency emerged as the only one among the four in which the PML-N appeared positioned to secure a victory during the third phase.

The result is significant for the ruling party, which has already built a substantial lead across the first two phases of the AJK elections.

AJK PM Leads in Haveli-Kahuta

A closely fought contest was reported in LA-17 Haveli-Kahuta, where incumbent AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was leading against PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz.

The constituency has attracted particular attention because of the political importance of the candidates and the ongoing dispute over the counting process.

PML-N workers have staged a sit-in outside the Returning Officer’s office, demanding a recount of votes.

Independent Candidate Scores Major Upset

One of the biggest surprises of the third phase came from LA-14 Western Bagh.

Independent candidate Sardar Sajid Iqbal Abbasi defeated former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference president Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in the veteran politician’s home constituency.

According to unofficial results, Sajid Iqbal was leading with 40,702 votes, while Attique Ahmed Khan had secured 19,542 votes.

The result represents a major political upset and could have implications for the balance of political forces in the region.

PML-N Demands Recount in LA-17

Meanwhile, PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz has sought a recount in LA-17 Bagh-4, but the Returning Officer reportedly rejected the request.

PML-N supporters have continued their sit-in outside the RO’s office in protest.

Aziz has said the demonstration will continue until the votes are recounted, keeping the result in the constituency under political dispute.

PPP Raises Rigging Allegations

The PPP has rejected the results of the recent AJK elections and accused authorities of electoral irregularities, polling disruptions, rigging and law-and-order problems.

PPP leaders, including Senators Palwasha Khan, Shahlah Raza and Sharmila Faruqui, criticised the conduct of the elections and called for an impartial examination of complaints.

The party argued that allegations raised during the voting process should be investigated to ensure that the voters’ mandate is protected.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman had also raised concerns about delayed polling and alleged restrictions on party polling agents at several stations.

She called for voters to be given sufficient time to cast their ballots after polling delays and claimed that PPP agents were prevented from entering polling stations 119 and 120.

PML-N Rejects PPP’s Claims

PML-N leader and Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah rejected the PPP’s allegations and urged protesters to end their sit-in.

He accused the PPP of using claims of rigging to cover what he described as an electoral defeat, while acknowledging that the party’s allegations were “not as intense as before”.

Sanaullah also said that legitimate demands raised by protesters would be reviewed by the government, while warning that anyone taking up arms or acting against the state would face legal consequences.

The AJK election authorities have indicated that the polling schedule for Rawalakot could be announced after the sit-in issue is resolved.

PML-N Maintains Strong Lead After Two Phases

The latest results come after the PML-N established a significant advantage during the first two phases of the AJK elections.

During the first phase, the PML-N won nine of 13 seats in the Mirpur division, while the PPP secured four.

In the second phase, elections were held for nine general seats in the Muzaffarabad division along with 12 refugee-reserved seats. The PML-N won 15 seats, while the PPP secured six.

Overall, the PML-N has won 24 seats in the first two phases, compared with 10 seats for the PPP.

PML-N leaders have expressed confidence about forming the government, with Rana Sanaullah saying on August 8 that his party needed only six additional seats to achieve a two-thirds majority in the AJK Assembly.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, however, has rejected the PML-N’s confidence, arguing that the party may be mistaken in assuming it will form the next government in AJK.

The final political picture will become clearer once the remaining constituencies are officially declared and disputed results are resolved.