{
  "id": 9476198,
  "title": "AJK Legislative Assembly to elect new president today",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/ajk-legislative-assembly-to-elect-new-president-today",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T03:36:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2032212/ajk-legislative-assembly-to-elect-new-president-today"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Muzaffarabad, on Thursday, sees the AJK Legislative Assembly convening to elect a new president, a role vacant since January following the demise of the incumbent, Barrister Sultan Mahmood. Contesting the election are Dr Najeeb Naqi from the ruling PML-N and Chaudhry Latif Akbar of the PPP, both seasoned parliamentarians who have occupied pivotal positions in their parties' respective governments. As per the AJK Constitution, the president’s election is determined by a majority vote of the Legislative Assembly members. The PML-N enjoys a 31-member advantage over the PPP in the 46-member House, with the Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq excluded from the PML-N tally. Additionally, the AJK Election Commission has set the date for electing four seats on the AJK Council, with the previous terms of the five-year officeholders concluding last month. The polling for these elections is scheduled for October 12, from 10 am to 1 pm, followed by an immediate recount. Nomination papers must be submitted on October 1, between 9 am and 2 pm, and scrutiny will take place on October 2, at 10 am. Appeals against the rejection of nomination papers can be lodged on October 5, between 9 am and 12:30 pm.",
  "summary": "MUZAFFARABAD: The AJK Legislative Assembly will meet on Thursday to elect the region’s new president for a five-year term, a process that has remained pending since January following the death of incumbent Barrister Sultan Mahmood. Dr Najeeb Naqi of the ruling PML-N and Chaudhry Latif Akbar of the PPP are contesting the election. Both are senior parliamentarians who have held key positions in…",
  "key_points": [
    "AJK Legislative Assembly convenes to elect new president.",
    "Dr Najeeb Naqi from PML-N and Chaudhry Latif Akbar of PPP contest.",
    "Election held on October 12, with four Council seats also up for vote."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The election of a new president tips the balance in favour of the ruling PML-N, which holds a significant majority in the Legislative Assembly, paving the way for Dr Najeeb Naqi to take the role.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "AJK Legislative Assembly to elect new president today",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/ajk-legislative-assembly-to-elect-new-president-today-9481707",
        "published": "2026-09-24T03:36:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}