{
  "id": 35483,
  "title": "Second phase of AJK polls: Bilawal hopes for 'fairness' as PPP alleges electoral malpractices",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/second-phase-of-ajk-polls-bilawal-hopes-for-fairness-as-ppp-alleges",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T08:20:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2020095/second-phase-of-ajk-polls-bilawal-hopes-for-fairness-as-ppp-alleges-electoral-malpractices"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections commenced on Sunday, with polling taking place in nine constituencies of the Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Over 300 candidates are competing for 21 seats, as the polls aim to resume fairness and address allegations of electoral malpractices from the previous phase. The PML-N and PPP, both coalition partners in the Centre, have been at odds since the PML-N led the first phase, with the PPP accusing the PML-N of rigging and demanding re-polling in certain constituencies. The PPP Chairperson, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, expressed disappointment that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had not taken action on their complaints from the first phase, emphasizing the need for the commission to maintain fairness in the current round.",
  "key_points": [
    "Second phase of AJK polls begins on Sunday.",
    "Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hopes for 'fairness' in voting.",
    "PPP alleges electoral malpractices, demands re-polling."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "'Tick tock': Bilawal says PML-N's 'countdown' has begun, will hold rally in AJK's Poonch ahead of polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/tick-tock-bilawal-says-pml-ns-countdown-has-begun-will-hold-rally-in",
        "published": "2026-08-03T18:08:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}