MUZAFFARABAD – The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections was marred by violence on Monday night , with one person killed and three others injured in a firing incident in Kotli, while clashes and attempts to seize ballot boxes were reported at several polling stations.
Polling was held in 13 constituencies across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber.
The voting officially concluded at 5:00 p.m., but the election authorities extended the polling time by one hour for voters already in queues. The preliminary, unofficial results are now being compiled.
The most serious incident occurred in the Nakyal area of Kotli, where one person was killed and three others sustained injuries in a shooting.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate for LA-9, Javed Budhanvi, identified the deceased as Mukhtiar, a PPP worker.
In Bhimber, the disturbances were reported at the Baba Shadi Shaheed Shrine polling station, where, according to the District Returning Officer (DRO), miscreants snatched a ballot box containing 232 votes and set it on fire. The election official said legal action would be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, the clashes also broke out at three polling stations in LA-6.
The police said armed individuals attempted to snatch ballot boxes from polling staff, but the situation was brought under control.
