AJK Assembly Prepares for Reserved Seats Elections Amid PML-N Majority Lead

Polling for seven reserved seats of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly takes place today, August 24, 2026, marking the final legislative hurdle as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) closes in on a majority needed to form the regional government.

The Final Legislative Push in Muzaffarabad

The AJK Election Commission scheduled the voting to fill eight total reserved seats, though today’s operational focus centers on seven available slots after complications shifted timelines.

The timeline leading up to today’s vote moved rapidly. Candidates filed nomination papers with the returning officer, followed by scrutiny periods, appeal filings handled by the Chief Election Commissioner’s office, and a final withdrawal window. With the process finalized, the stage is set for the remaining assembly members to lock in the final balance of power.

How the PML-N Secured Its Commanding Lead

The PML-N enters today’s ballot holding a formidable advantage. The party secured 25 general seats during the broader election phases, positioning itself just two seats shy of the 27 needed to independently form a government in the 53-member house.

Trailing behind the front-runners, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) holds 12 seats, according to election tallies. Meanwhile, recent re-polling at 23 polling stations across two constituencies—including LA-15 Central Bagh, where PPP candidate Sardar Zia Qamar secured victory with 17,121 votes, and LA-16 Eastern Bagh, where PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar Khan won with 20,793 votes—highlighted the hard-fought nature of the regional contest.

Navigating Law and Order Challenges

Today’s vote occurs under the shadow of persistent logistical hurdles. Under Article 22(1) of the AJK Constitution, the Legislative Assembly consists of 53 members, combining 45 directly elected representatives with eight members chosen by the assembly itself. However, elections to seven directly elected seats—five in Poonch district and two in Sudhnoti district—could not proceed as scheduled due to local law and order concerns.

Photo: pakistantoday.com.pk

Consequently, today’s reserved-seat elections involve 38 directly elected members, representing roughly 84.4 percent of the total directly elected membership. The third phase of the general elections saw restrictions that limited polling to Bagh and Haveli, leaving the commission to determine future dates for the remaining unresolved districts.

What Lies Ahead for the Regional Government

As ballot boxes close this afternoon, attention shifts immediately to the swearing-in of the new AJK assembly. With the PML-N expected to secure the lion’s share of the contested reserved positions, party leadership anticipates crossing the magic number of 27 seats to solidify its mandate.