PPP alleges rigging as polling resumes in two delayed AJK constituencies

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday accused polling staff in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) of abandoning a polling station and being caught “red-handed” with official polling bags and ballot papers at the residence of a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporter, urging the Election Commission to intervene immediately.

Tuesday’s polling was held in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla) and at 51 of the 115 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) after voting in those areas was postponed from the second phase on August 2 because heavy rain and landslides prevented election staff and polling material from reaching the affected polling stations.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon on Sunday questioned the election commission’s decision to postpone polling in LA-27, saying weather had been cited as the reason despite clear conditions.

The second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections saw polling across eight constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and all 12 refugee constituencies.

Based on results announced so far, the PML-N emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, while the PPP secured nine seats. The vote was overshadowed by allegations of electoral irregularities, with the PPP accusing the PML-N and the Election Commission of failing to ensure a transparent electoral process, allegations the PML-N rejected.

In a complaint addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of AJK shared on the party’s X account, the PPP Election Cell alleged that the incident took place at Polling Station No 3 in Union Council Bheri, constituency LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kotla).

The letter, signed by PPP Election Cell in-charge Abdul Shakoor, described the complaint as being filed “on behalf of the Pakistan Peoples Party candidate in respect of grave illegalities, pre-planned rigging and severe electoral malpractice taking place in Union Council Bheri”.

“It has been established through concrete evidence that the official polling staff assigned to Polling Station No 3, Union Council Bheri, abandoned their designated venue and moved approximately two kilometres away into the private residence of a chief supporter and activist of the PML-N candidate,” it added.

It further alleged that the polling staff was “caught red-handed along with official polling bags and ballot papers, preparing to engage in illegal ballot stuffing (‘cappa stamping’)”.

According to the complaint, video evidence of the alleged incident had already been submitted to Election Commission officials on duty. “Despite the video evidence of this flagrant illegality having been submitted to the Election Commission officers on duty without delay, no administrative or legal action has been taken to date,” the letter said.

The PPP further alleged that “the very same compromised polling staff continue to conduct the polling process at the station, which entirely destroys the sanctity, fairness and transparency of the election in LA-27”.

Also Read: PML-N consolidates lead with 23 seats in AJK elections, PPP stands second with nine

The party urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately, arguing that polling was in progress, making the matter time-sensitive, and that “any delay will render the remedy ineffective.”

Copies of the complaint were also sent to the Returning Officer for LA-27 (Kotla) and the relevant District Returning Officer.

Allegations of electoral rigging intensified during the second phase of the AJK elections held on August 2, with the PPP accusing the Election Commission of failing to act on complaints lodged during the first round of voting.

The party alleged widespread irregularities, including the removal of polling agents before vote counting, the use of photocopied and expired identity documents for voting, attacks on its workers and the occupation of polling stations by political opponents.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari later said the party reserved the right to seek re-polling in constituencies where it believed the electoral process had been compromised. The PML-N rejected the allegations, saying the claims stemmed from electoral defeat rather than evidence of wrongdoing.

Read More: Vote counting underway as polling ends in second phase of AJK elections amid rigging claims

As the accusations intensified, senior leaders from both parties held competing press conferences.

The PPP accused the federal government of interfering in the elections through development announcements and misuse of official resources, while the PML-N alleged the PPP was itself attempting to manipulate the vote, claiming ballot papers had been recovered from the residence of a rival candidate.

Similar accusations had already cast a shadow over the first phase of polling on July 27, when the coalition partners in the Centre exchanged allegations of rigging and administrative interference.

The Election Commission confirmed the arrest and suspension of two presiding officers in Kotli after polling staff and election material were allegedly found at a private residence instead of the designated polling station, replacing the officials and initiating legal proceedings.

The first phase was also marred by violence, including the killing of a PPP worker in Kotli during polling, further fuelling tensions between the rival parties. Throughout both phases, the Election Commission maintained that any proven violations of election laws would be dealt with in accordance with the law.