Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, two ex-AJK PMs face crucial electoral test

Muzaffarabad, AJK: Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and three of his predecessors, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, and Sardar Mir Akbar, find themselves in a critical electoral test as voters across four constituencies in Poonch district head to the polls on Monday. These four constituencies, with constituencies LA-14 (Dhirkot) having the highest number of candidates at 30 and LA-17 (Haveli) the lowest at nine, have emerged as the most scrutinized contests of the election, with all three former and incumbent premiers facing formidable challenges from their rivals.

The elections are also taking place amid heightened security concerns, with the government anticipating potential clashes in some areas. To ensure a safe and fair electoral process, 10,300 troops have been deployed to provide a secure atmosphere to the voters. In total, 238,664 men and 221,707 women are eligible to vote at 803 polling stations comprising 1,254 polling booths, with 82 candidates vying for the coveted seats.

The most contentious of these constituencies is LA-17 (Haveli), where Rathore and Sajid Iqbal Abbasi from the Awam Dast-o-Bazu Party are locked in a fierce battle. Abbasi, a contractor and philanthropist, has reportedly spent millions of rupees on public welfare projects, garnering a significant personal following. Meanwhile, Rathore, who has held the position of prime minister in the past, now finds himself facing former allies who have turned into rivals due to a disagreement over the seat allocation.

The elections have not been without controversy, with allegations of electoral irregularities on social media. Two presiding officers have been accused of manipulating results in favor of Rathore. However, the Election Commission Secretary Raja Mohammad Shakeel dismissed these claims but confirmed that complaints had been received and the officials had been relieved of their duties.

The election in LA-15 (Wasti Bagh) pits former prime minister Sardar Ilyas against PML-N candidates Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas, Sardar Ziaul Qamar, and Jamaat-i-Islami candidate Brig Dr Mohammad Khan. Ilyas, who secured a little over 3,300 votes in the second phase, initially announced a boycott of the third phase but later reversed the decision.

The constituency has witnessed fierce competition among candidates belonging to the same Madiyal tribe and Narma clan, with each candidate drawing support from their respective communities.