A picture showing the branch of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission. — FILE PHOTO
A day after concluding the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the Election Commission has announced the schedule for elections to reserved seats, with polling set to be held on Aug 24.
According to a statement issued by the commission, elections will be held for eight reserved seats. Candidates may submit their nomination papers by Aug 20. The returning officer will scrutinise the papers on the same day and issue a list of eligible candidates.
Read: PML-N secures 25 seats in AJK assembly as election process concludes
Appeals against the nomination papers may be filed on Aug 21, while the Election Commission will hear and decide the appeals on Aug 22. The final list of candidates will be issued on Aug 23.
The announcement came a day after the electoral process for the 2026 general elections in AJK concluded with polling and the announcement of results in the two remaining constituencies of Bagh.
The final phase of polling was completed following re-polling at 23 polling stations in LA-15 Bagh-II and LA-16 Bagh-III, bringing the main electoral process across AJK to an end.
With the Bagh results, the PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary force in the AJK Legislative Assembly with 25 seats, while the PPP stood second with 12 seats.
The outcome further strengthened the PML-N’s position in the AJK Assembly and placed it in a strong position to form the next government. The party secured the largest number of directly elected seats across the three-phase election, while the PPP retained its position as the principal opposition force.
Also Read: Political tensions simmer in AJK’s LA-17 Haveli constituency
The PML-N is also expected to gain six additional reserved seats for women and special categories, including seats for Ulema-o-Mashaikh, overseas Kashmiris and technocrats, further increasing its strength in the assembly.
The 2026 elections were conducted in three phases across AJK. The PML-N maintained a strong electoral performance throughout the process, winning a majority of the directly contested seats, while the PPP secured several important constituencies and maintained a significant parliamentary presence.
