AJK Election Phase 3: Voting Begins in Bagh and Haveli Districts

AJK – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The AJK election phase 3 officially kicked off on Monday, with voters heading to polling stations across four constituencies in Bagh and Haveli districts. This stage of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections falls under the Poonch Division and marks another important step in the region’s democratic process.

Voting started at 8am and will run until 5pm, giving citizens a full day to cast their votes. According to the AJK Election Commission, around 460,000 registered voters are eligible to take part in this round of polling.

The AJK chief election commissioner confirmed that all four constituencies are ready for smooth voting. He noted that turnout numbers are expected to be strong, given the scale of registered voters across the two districts.

Security was a major focus ahead of polling day. The chief election commissioner stated that all necessary arrangements had been finalized well in advance. Law enforcement teams have been deployed to maintain order and ensure that voters can exercise their right freely and safely.

Officials say the goal is to keep the process transparent and peaceful. Extra personnel have reportedly been stationed at sensitive polling points, a common practice during regional elections in AJK.

While Bagh and Haveli move forward with voting, other areas are facing delays. Elections for five seats in Poonch district and two seats in Sudhnoti district have been postponed. Authorities have not detailed the exact reasons behind the postponement, but such decisions are often linked to administrative or security concerns.

This phased approach to elections is common in AJK, allowing authorities to manage logistics and security more effectively across different regions. Each phase focuses on specific districts, helping reduce pressure on law enforcement and election staff.

Local residents have expressed mixed reactions to the ongoing process. Many are eager to see how this phase shapes the political landscape, while others remain cautious due to the postponements in nearby districts.

Election observers say voter turnout in Bagh and Haveli could offer early signals about broader trends across the region. With hundreds of thousands eligible to vote, the results from this phase may carry significant weight.

As polling continues throughout the day, updates are expected from the AJK Election Commission regarding turnout numbers and any incidents, if reported. Officials have urged voters to remain patient and follow guidance from polling staff.

The postponed elections in Poonch and Sudhnoti are likely to be rescheduled once security and administrative concerns are addressed. No new date has been announced yet.

For now, all eyes remain on Bagh and Haveli, where voters are playing their part in shaping the next assembly. The outcome of this phase will be closely watched, not just locally but across the wider AJK political scene.

As voting wraps up later today, final turnout figures and preliminary updates are expected to follow soon from election authorities.