PPP alleges collusion in AJK polls, vows to challenge results through legal forums

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday accused the federal government, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of colluding to influence the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, alleging widespread irregularities and voter manipulation.

The statement came a day after the second phase of AJK elections were held in Muzaffarabad Division and refugee seats. According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, the PML-N was leading in five constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had won two seats. In the first phase, the AJK Election Commission formally notified the results of all 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division, confirming a decisive victory for the PML-N, which secured nine seats, while the PPP won the remaining four.

Addressing a press conference alongside PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin today, Memon claimed there had been a coordinated effort to defeat Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates in the AJK polls.

He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had repeatedly stressed the importance of holding transparent elections in AJK and urged the authorities to prioritise the interests of the Kashmiri people over those of any political party.

Memon alleged that the election commission had failed to act impartially during the electoral process and accused it of ignoring the party’s complaints.

Read More: Second phase of AJK election: PPP raises concerns over polling delays

“It appeared as though the AJK Election Commission had become the B-team of the PML-N,” he said, adding that the AJK elections had repeated the pattern of the 2024 general elections.

Referring to the 2024 polls, Memon said they had produced what the PPP described as a “Form-47 government”, and alleged that the AJK elections had gone a step further.

“We want to place all the facts before the relevant forums. Our response will be based on evidence and legal arguments, not abusive language,” he said.

Memon alleged that the PPP had lodged multiple complaints with the AJK Election Commission during polling, including in Mirpur Division, but none had been addressed.

He also claimed that polling staff and election materials failed to reach several polling stations on time, affecting the voting process.

The senior minister questioned the election commission’s decision to postpone polling in LA-27, saying weather had been cited as the reason despite clear conditions.

“If the election commissioner appears on television and misleads the public, what does the law prescribe for such conduct?” he asked.

Memon further alleged that PPP worker Mukhtar Younis was killed in LA-9 Nikyal, accusing PML-N leaders of later misrepresenting the victim’s political affiliation.

He also claimed that supporters of the PML-N attacked the President of AJK in LA-31, alleging that despite complaints to the inspector general of police and the chief secretary, no arrests had been made.

According to Memon, PPP workers who went to the area after receiving reports of ballot-stamping were fired upon.

He criticised Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah for allegedly making light of the firing incident and questioned why federal leaders had been meeting administrative officials during the election process.

Memon also alleged that ballot papers had reached PML-N candidates two days before polling, though he did not provide evidence to support the claim.

The senior minister said the PPP would continue to contest the remaining phase of the AJK elections and pursue all available constitutional and legal avenues to challenge the alleged irregularities.

Commenting on the federal government, Memon said the PPP had refused to become part of what it described as the “Form-47 government” after the 2024 general elections.

“We believe the countdown for the federal government has begun,” he said.

A day earlier, Bilawal alleged irregularities during the second phase of the AJK elections, saying the Election Commission had failed to act on the party’s complaints from the first phase.

Also Read: PM Shehbaz congratulates PML-N as party secures simple majority in AJK Assembly

In a post on X, Bilawal said that despite what he described as an admission by the “rigging party”, the Election Commission had not taken action on the PPP’s earlier complaints.

“Had they done so, the credibility of today’s phase-2 election would have been restored,” he said.

The PPP chairman said his party reserved the right to protest and demand re-election in constituencies where, he alleged, rigging had taken place and the Election Commission had failed to act.

Memon also demanded re-election in three constituencies and said that in one of the constituencies of AJK, 110 per cent of the votes had been cast.

“I urge the election commission to take notice of the incident”, said Sharjeel while speaking at a presser in Islamabad.