Sharif’s Party Secures Dominance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Elections Despite Boycott
Pakistan’s ruling PML-N has captured a majority in the initial phases of the regional legislative assembly vote. High turnout persisted despite violent demonstrations and a boycott orchestrated by the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee.
Key takeaways
- PML-N has won 24 of the 34 seats decided so far, signaling a return to regional power after a decade.
- Despite boycott calls by the banned JAAC, voter turnout in the capital Muzaffarabad reached 56 percent.
- The regional Supreme Court previously ruled that the 12 contested reserved seats are constitutionally protected.
- The election was conducted in three phases due to security concerns and monsoon-related logistical hurdles.
Current Election Standing
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has established a decisive lead in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. According to regional election commission spokesperson Raja Shakeel, PML-N-backed candidates secured 24 of the 34 seats decided during the first two phases of polling. The final phase for the remaining 11 seats is set for August 10, though the current results place the party on a direct path to forming the regional government for the first time in ten years.
Key Facts
- Voter turnout exceeded 56 percent in Muzaffarabad and surpassed 50 percent in several other regions.
- The PML-N won 24 out of the 34 seats contested in the first two voting cycles.
- The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a banned organization, led a weeks-long campaign urging residents to boycott the polls.
- Logistical challenges included heavy monsoon rains and security threats, necessitating a three-phase voting schedule.
- The JAAC demands the abolition of 12 reserved seats intended for Kashmiris displaced since 1947, citing disproportionate influence.
Why It Matters
The election occurs amidst a volatile security environment and persistent civil unrest led by the JAAC. The group, established in 2023, has clashed with police over demands for greater political rights and the removal of seats reserved for displaced persons. While the regional government has reportedly accepted 36 of the group’s 38 demands, the controversy regarding the reserved seats remains a flashpoint. In June, the regional Supreme Court ruled that these seats are constitutionally protected and can only be altered via amendment. Analysts suggest the high turnout indicates a preference for the democratic process over the boycott tactics employed by the outlawed committee.
Background
The territorial dispute over Kashmir remains the central conflict between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India, who have fought two wars over the Himalayan region since 1947. These local elections were further complicated by allegations from authorities that members of the Pakistani Taliban infiltrated JAAC protests. The JAAC has not addressed these claims but maintains that the reserved seats grant unfair leverage to those living outside the immediate territory. Nawaz Sharif has issued formal congratulations to his party's candidates as they prepare to resume power in the region.
Source: The Hindu — World
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