The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has once again accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of rigging the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, demanding that the results be declared null and void and fresh elections be held.
The allegations were made during a press conference in Islamabad led by PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, alongside senior party leaders.
Addressing the media, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said the PPP's seats in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad were "forcibly snatched" through electoral manipulation. He called on the authorities to annul the Azad Kashmir election results and conduct fresh polls, claiming the electoral process had been compromised from the outset.
According to Bukhari, the decision to hold the elections in three phases itself laid the foundation for rigging.
Phased elections questioned
Bukhari argued that phased elections had never been conducted in this manner in Pakistan before. He alleged that the Election Commission's decision to split the polls into phases created opportunities for manipulation and raised serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
"They now also want to conduct the elections in Poonch Division in phases. This is another method of rigging," he claimed.
Rana Sanaullah's remarks cited by PPP
The PPP leader repeatedly referred to a statement attributed to Rana Sanaullah, alleging that he had claimed to have "10 refugee seats in his pocket."
Bukhari said the statement laid the groundwork for alleged electoral manipulation and later claimed that the PML-N eventually won all 10 refugee seats.
He further alleged that preparations were already underway to rig the third phase of the elections as well.
PPP questions Election Commission's role
Bukhari criticized the Election Commission, saying there was a "big question mark" over its conduct during the Azad Kashmir elections. He alleged that coercion influenced the voting process and insisted that the PPP's position on the matter was clear.
According to him, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had earlier stressed that the incidents witnessed in Mirpur should not be repeated in Muzaffarabad.
Bukhari also questioned the reported voter turnout, claiming that turnout in Mirpur had been shown as 90%, while some polling stations recorded more than 80% turnout.
He referred to the results of LA-9 and LA-12, claiming the PPP possessed evidence relating to those constituencies. He maintained that these were constituencies where the party's victories had allegedly been taken away through rigging.
Chaudhry Latif alleges violence during polls
PPP leader Chaudhry Latif Akbar alleged that he was personally attacked during the election campaign and accused the PML-N of using violence and intimidation. He claimed the ruling party had decided to win the elections through rigging after losing in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to Akbar, 84% voter turnout was reported in his constituency, a figure he questioned. He also said the authorities had justified holding phased elections by citing inadequate security arrangements.
Questions over election security spending
Akbar questioned the expenditure of Rs5 billion allocated for election security. He claimed that only one police officer armed with a baton was deployed at each polling station, including the location where he said he was attacked.
"I met the Chief Election Commissioner and reminded him that conducting transparent elections was his responsibility," Akbar said.
He alleged that PPP workers were assaulted and prevented from reaching polling stations.
According to him, despite informing the Election Commission about alleged rigging, no action was taken. Akbar further claimed that the alleged irregularities affected the voting rights of Kashmiris.
He also referred to the Model Town incident, describing it as another example of what he called the PML-N's history of political violence.
Chaudhry Yasin calls polls worst in AJK history
Senior PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin described the elections as the worst ever held in Azad Kashmir. He argued that alleged electoral manipulation sent a negative message to the Kashmir freedom movement.
Yasin questioned claims of 95% voter turnout in some constituencies, saying such figures were unrealistic. He also recalled that the Chief Election Commissioner had faced allegations of rigging during the 2016 elections.
Additionally, he accused Punjab Police personnel of mistreating people during the electoral process.
PPP says agreement with PML-N not honoured
Responding to questions about contacts with the PML-N, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said the two parties had held discussions following the Mirpur elections.
According to him, both sides had agreed that the incidents witnessed in Mirpur would not be repeated in Muzaffarabad. He claimed it was also decided that re-polling would be held at polling stations where turnout appeared suspicious.
However, Bukhari alleged that the PML-N later backed away from the understanding, while the PPP remained firm on its position.
He said there was currently no intention of holding further talks with the PML-N and that the party's leadership would make the final decision on future strategy.
PPP says it also secured victory in KP
Bukhari noted that the PPP had also won one seat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while insisting that the party had suffered losses in Azad Kashmir due to alleged electoral manipulation.
He reiterated that the PPP would continue pursuing its demand for transparent elections and accountability over the alleged irregularities.
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