Second phase of AJK polls: Bilawal hopes for 'fairness' as PPP alleges electoral malpractices

The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections commenced on Sunday, with voting taking place across nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Over 300 candidates are competing for a total of 21 seats. Prior to the polls, internet services were restored in certain areas of Muzaffarabad following a 54-day suspension.

AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced that a letter had been sent to request the restoration of internet services, which he anticipated a decision on soon. At the media briefing, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), expressed hope for "fairness" in the second phase of voting, noting that the election commission had not yet addressed their complaints from the first phase.

The PPP has accused the PML-N, their coalition partners in the Centre, of electoral malpractices, including rigging, in Mirpur and has demanded re-polling. Despite the PML-N's admission that the rigging was minimal and isolated, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari maintains that the Election Commission has failed to act on their complaints. The PPP has lodged multiple written complaints regarding ballot stuffing and illegal removal of polling agents.

The party further alleges that its polling agents were barred from certain polling stations, with some claiming they were prevented from entering due to a lack of local affiliation.