Final phase of voting proceeds in Pakistan-administered Kashmir amid security concerns

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) began the final phase of voting in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir on Tuesday, completing the three‑stage process that will determine the composition of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly and the Gilgit‑Baltistan Council. The phase covered 33 constituencies across the region, with more than 2.5 million registered voters casting ballots at 1,800 polling stations, despite heightened security alerts issued by the Ministry of Interior following recent threats from militant groups operating along the Line of Control.

Security forces deployed an additional 12,000 personnel, including paramilitary units and local police, to safeguard polling stations and transport election materials. The ECP reported that voter turnout in the final phase reached 61 percent, marginally higher than the 58 percent recorded in the first two phases. Election officials and representatives of the major political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e‑Insaf and the Pakistan Muslim League‑N, affirmed that the voting proceeded without major incidents, and the results are expected to be announced within the next week.

The completion of the voting process marks a critical step toward finalizing the region’s legislative representation ahead of the scheduled inauguration of the new assembly in early September. International observers noted the relatively peaceful conduct of the elections, while local authorities emphasized continued vigilance to deter any potential disruptions before the final tally is released.