Voting is under way in four constituencies in the final phase of PoK elections
Polling in seven other seats has been postponed indefinitely over security concerns
The delays follow weeks of protests, violence, road closures and internet disruptions
Voting is under way in four constituencies in the final phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday, while polling in seven others has been postponed indefinitely amid a deteriorating law-and-order situation.
As per Reuters, the third and final round of voting was scheduled for Monday, but authorities delayed polling in seven of the 11 remaining constituencies after reviewing a report on the security situation in parts of Poonch and Sudhnoti.
The delays come weeks after deadly protests erupted across PoK, leading to road closures and an internet blackout in some areas. The unrest has created a political challenge for Islamabad as it faces criticism over its handling of dissent in the territory.
Election Results
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has already won 24 of the 34 seats contested in the first two rounds and is on course to form the regional government.
The party has, however, faced allegations of electoral rigging from its main rival, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). PPP leader Hassan Murtaza cited delays at several polling stations as evidence of electoral fraud, while PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah rejected the allegations as "baseless".
Candidates affiliated with jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which won the previous regional election five years ago, have boycotted the polls over allegations of rigging.
Protests And Delays
The election process has unfolded alongside protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has opposed longstanding electoral arrangements in PoK.
A major point of contention has been 12 seats in the 45-member directly elected legislative assembly reserved for constituencies representing people described in the regional constitution as refugees from India’s Jammu & Kashmir. Protesters have accused Islamabad of using the seats to influence local politics, an allegation Pakistani authorities have rejected.
The Election Commission has yet to announce revised dates for the postponed polling.
India's Position
India had criticised the election process in PoK. The Ministry of External Affairs had described the local elections as a "complete farce", arguing that voting could not conceal what it called an ongoing crackdown on protesters.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said the situation in PoK was defined by protests and violence, alleging that Pakistani authorities had responded with "bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression". India had also alleged that at least 90 civilians had been killed in the crackdown since June.
The latest postponement means the final phase of the regional election remains incomplete, with voting in seven constituencies still awaiting a new schedule.
