In an election marred by claims of fraud and violence, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir voted in the legislative assembly ballot for 45 seats. There is a stiff triangular contest involving Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in PoK.
At least two PTI workers were shot and killed in clashes with PPP activists. In another incident, five police constables were injured after Jamaat-e-Islami activists attacked them with batons at the Dhal Chakhya polling station of Jhelum valley district.
The PPP has alleged that PTI workers were using force to influence the voting process. In a letter to the election commission's secretary, PPP's Central Election Cell in-charge Taj Haider said that the chief polling agent for the LA-30 constituency was arrested "immediately after the start of polling in order to influence the election of our candidate". PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that her party workers are standing firmly and exposing the "vote thieves". PML-N candidate Raja Farooq Haider claimed that the law enforcing agencies are "collaborating" with PTI candidate.
The PTI has nominated candidates for all the 45 constituencies, while PML-N and PPP each issued tickets to candidates for 44 seats. Two other parties including All J&K Muslim Conference and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) have given tickets for 42 and 40 constituencies respectively and are among the major contenders.
The TLP was banned in April this year by the Pakistan government for its violent activities but it has not been de-registered by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), enabling it to take part in the elections. Among other parties, Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated 28 candidates; J&K United Movement 16 nominees; Jammu Kashmir People's Party 17; JK Liberation League 12; Muttahida Qaumi Movement 11; J&K Awami Tehreek 11 and the Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto) 10 nominees.
Thirty-three constituencies are located in PoK, while 12 seats are for refugees settled in different cities of Pakistan.
-Inputs from PTI
