Voting commenced in the third phase of elections for Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly, with polling stations opening across four constituencies in the Poonch division. More than 460,000 registered voters were eligible to cast ballots across approximately 800 polling stations in the Bagh and Haveli districts, with voting scheduled to conclude later in the day.
Elections in the remaining seven constituencies were postponed the previous week following security concerns. Officials indicated that new polling dates would be announced in the coming period. The scaled-back electoral process reflected months of regional instability centered in the Poonch division, where a local pressure group called the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has mounted sustained protests.
The JAAC has demanded the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for displaced Kashmiris residing elsewhere in Pakistan. The group’s campaign-related protests resulted in significant casualties, with residents and rights organizations reporting more than 50 deaths, though government officials have not released an official count. Authorities reported that at least seven police and paramilitary personnel were killed in the unrest.
The JAAC was banned in June under antiterrorism legislation and subsequently called for an election boycott. Authorities also restricted international media access to the region earlier this month, requiring reporters to obtain government clearance before conducting coverage. The Poonch division has experienced an internet shutdown lasting more than 50 days.
Previous election phases showed declining voter participation compared to recent contests. The first phase in the Mirpur division recorded 46 percent turnout, while the second phase achieved 53 percent—both lower than the more than 60 percent recorded in recent previous election cycles. The second phase results showed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz winning 15 seats and the PPP securing six seats across multiple constituencies and refugee voting blocs.
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