MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has alleged irregularities in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and expressed concerns over delays in polling and the alleged prevention of its polling agents from performing their duties.
Polling was held on Monday for four seats in the AJK districts of Bagh and Haveli. Counting of votes continued after the conclusion of polling, with results being announced as they became available.
Following the polling process, the PPP raised allegations of rigging and questioned the circumstances surrounding delays at some polling stations.
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman said that polling was not started on time at some locations, while the party’s polling agents were allegedly prevented from carrying out their responsibilities at certain polling stations.
She called for an explanation regarding the reported incidents and urged the relevant election authorities to clarify why polling was delayed at some locations and why PPP polling agents were allegedly stopped from entering or performing their duties.
Sherry Rehman said that the party expected the election authorities to properly investigate complaints received from candidates and political parties and ensure transparency throughout the electoral process.
PPP Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari also criticized the response of the election authorities to complaints regarding the polling process.
Bukhari said that the Chief Election Commissioner and Secretary of the Election Commission were responding to complaints of alleged irregularities by saying that nothing had happened and everything was normal.
He argued that the responsibility of the election authorities was to take immediate action whenever a complaint was received rather than simply offering explanations or assurances.
The PPP leadership called for the complaints raised by its representatives to be examined through the proper electoral mechanism and for any violations of election rules to be addressed.
The allegations have emerged as vote counting continues in the four constituencies where polling was held. The final results are expected to determine the political balance in the affected constituencies.
The PPP’s allegations, however, were rejected by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.
Responding to the party’s claims, Rana Sanaullah said that the PPP was attempting to conceal its electoral defeat behind a narrative of rigging.
He argued that those making allegations of rigging had so far failed to provide evidence to substantiate their claims.
Rana Sanaullah said he expected the PPP to accept the election results rather than attribute its performance to alleged electoral irregularities.
He remarked that he hoped the PPP would “turn the countdown into an upward count” once the results became clear, implying that the party should acknowledge the outcome of the election.
The exchange between the PPP and the government representative comes amid the ongoing counting and announcement of results from the four AJK constituencies.
The PPP has maintained that its concerns regarding polling delays and the alleged restriction of its polling agents require clarification from election authorities. The party has called for complaints to be investigated according to electoral rules.
Government representatives, meanwhile, have rejected the allegations and maintained that the PPP has not presented evidence to support its claims.
The dispute highlights the political tensions surrounding the AJK electoral process, with competing parties closely monitoring the counting of votes and announcement of results.
Election authorities are responsible for examining complaints and ensuring that the electoral process is conducted according to the relevant laws and regulations. Any formal complaints submitted by candidates or political parties are expected to be dealt with through the prescribed electoral mechanisms.
As counting continues, political parties are awaiting the final results from the four constituencies. The outcome will determine whether the PPP’s allegations lead to further electoral proceedings or whether the results are accepted by the contesting parties.
For now, the PPP has demanded clarification over the reported polling delays and alleged restrictions on its polling agents, while Rana Sanaullah has dismissed the allegations as an attempt to explain an electoral setback.
The final results and any subsequent decisions by the election authorities are expected to provide further clarity on the outcome of the contested AJK seats.
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