Voting entered the third phase on Monday in Pakistani-administered Kashmir amid weeks of protests that forced authorities to postpone polls in seven constituencies. Polling began at 8:00 am (0230 GMT) in four seats across Bagh and Haveli, with senior regional leaders defending their positions. The banned JAAC alleges more than 70 deaths and dozens missing amid a stand-off with security forces around Rawalakot; those figures remain unverified.
Final Phase Of Voting Begins In Pakistani-Administered Kashmir Amid Unrest And Postponed Polls
FILE PHOTO - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses National Assembly session in Islamabad. (is associated with: «Final phase of elections in Pakistani-administered Kashmir under way») -/PPI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Voting in the third phase of elections in Pakistani-administered Kashmir began on Monday amid weeks of unrest, prompting authorities to alter the timetable and postpone polls in seven constituencies over fears of violence.
Officials said polling opened at 8:00 am (0230 GMT) in four constituencies across the Bagh and Haveli districts. Senior regional figures — including the incumbent and two former prime ministers of the territory — were among those defending their seats in Monday's contests.
At a press conference, Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, said the voting was largely proceeding peacefully and that law enforcement had handled a few minor incidents. He added that the newly elected government would seek to address legitimate demands raised by demonstrators, but warned that "those elements who took up arms, tried to sabotage the struggle for independence of Jammu and Kashmir, and played into the hands of the enemy, will have to face the law."
The protests have been led by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has spent the past two months pushing for changes to electoral laws and greater concessions for the region. The movement has since escalated into a deadly stand-off: the JAAC claims more than 70 people have been killed and dozens are missing, a figure that could not be independently verified.
The stand-off remains concentrated around the Rawalakot area, where schools, markets and banks have been closed and mobile and internet services suspended for more than two months, officials say. Authorities postponed voting in seven constituencies citing security concerns as they try to balance electoral timelines with public safety.
In earlier rounds of the regional vote, the party allied with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif won 24 of the 45 seats. The election process takes place against the longer backdrop of the Kashmir dispute, in which both nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India claim the entire region and have fought multiple wars over its control.
What To Watch
Observers will be monitoring turnout in the affected districts, any further postponements or disruptions, and the government’s response to protesters’ demands as results from remaining phases are tallied.
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