With the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections officially concluded, political attention has shifted to the second round of voting scheduled for 2 August.
The opening phase saw the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerge with a commanding lead, winning nine of the 13 seats contested in the Mirpur Division, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured four seats, retaining a strong foothold in parts of the region.
The second phase will cover nine general constituencies across Muzaffarabad, Jhelum Valley and Neelum Valley, along with 12 reserved seats for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) living in Pakistan.
The third and final phase of the elections will take place in the Rawalakot Division, where voters in Rawalakot, Sudhnoti, Bagh and Haveli will elect their representatives.
With voting underway in stages, political parties are expected to intensify their campaigns as the contest for control of the AJK Legislative Assembly enters a decisive phase.