3 weeks ago
Third Phase of PoK Polls Held Amid Rigging Allegations, Clashes
A place called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir held an election for its local government.
It was the third and final round of voting, and it did not go smoothly.
Some people said the voting was not fair and that one political party was cheating.
There were fights between supporters of two big political parties.
Many polling stations were watched closely because officials worried about trouble.
Voting in seven other areas was cancelled for now because it was not safe.
The party called PML-N won the first two rounds and will likely choose the next prime minister there.
Other groups, like the JAAC, have been protesting for months.
They say too many people have been hurt or killed during the protests and voting.
India says this area belongs to it, but Pakistan has been in charge of part of it for a long time.
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) held the third phase of its legislative assembly elections in four constituencies on Monday, amid clashes and rigging allegations.
The Election Commission indefinitely postponed elections in seven constituencies due to concerns over the law and order situation.
The PML-N won the first two phases with 24 seats, while the PPP won 10 of the 34 seats contested so far, out of 45 seats total.
The PPP alleged PML-N supporters blocked roads, illegally stamped ballot papers, forcibly removed polling agents, and attacked a polling station at a school in LA-15 Central Bagh.
The JAAC, which demands abolition of 12 refugee seats, alleges around 400 protesters have been killed since early June, while PM Shehbaz Sharif's advisor Rana Sanaullah put the figure in 'double figures.'
- Who
- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the protest group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), and the region's Election Commission, with Nawaz Sharif set to nominate the PoK prime minister.
- What
- The third phase of elections for PoK's 45-seat legislative assembly was held amid violence, clashes and allegations of rigging.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in four constituencies in Poonch Division's Bagh and Haveli districts.
- When
- Monday, August 10; earlier phases were held on July 27 and August 2, and seven constituencies were postponed indefinitely.
- Why
- To elect the region's legislative assembly, with the PML-N poised to form the government; the JAAC contests the process over the 12 refugee seats.
Opposition and protest groups
Ruling establishment and election authorities
Rigging in the third phase
Opposition and protest groups
The PPP alleged massive rigging by the PML-N, saying roads to Banni Marasira were blocked, supporters illegally stamped ballot papers, polling agents were forcibly removed, and a school polling station in LA-15 Central Bagh was attacked.
Ruling establishment and election authorities
The Election Commission classified most of the 803 polling stations as sensitive or highly sensitive and postponed seven constituencies citing law-and-order concerns, framing the disruptions as a security problem rather than systematic rigging.
Deaths during protests and polls
Opposition and protest groups
The JAAC alleges around 400 protesters have been killed since the first week of June, and that over 40 people were killed during the first phase of polls on July 27.
Ruling establishment and election authorities
Advisor to PM Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah, put the number of protesters killed in violence in 'double figures.'
Status of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
Opposition and protest groups
India maintains that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of it and says Pakistan has been in 'illegal and forcible occupation' of parts of these territories; New Delhi calls the assembly 'so-called.'
Ruling establishment and election authorities
Pakistan holds and administers elections for the region's legislative assembly, treating it as part of its territory and political system.
Key facts
- Elections held
- Third phase in four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli districts
- Postponed constituencies
- 7 (indefinitely, over law-and-order concerns)
- Polling stations
- 803, most classified sensitive or highly sensitive
- Total assembly seats
- 45
- PML-N seats after two phases
- 24 (single majority party)
- PPP seats after two phases
- 10
- Earlier phases
- July 27 and August 2
- JAAC claims on deaths
- Around 400 protesters killed since early June; over 40 killed during first phase on July 27
Quotes
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) representative
A spokesperson for the PPP alleging electoral misconduct
“The officials, voters, polling agents and party workers are unable to reach the polling stations to see what is being done inside,”
theprint.in
Sources
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