First phase of AJK polls begins in Mirpur division

The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections has kicked off in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division, with 288 candidates vying for seats. Polling commenced at 8am and will run until 5pm today, which has been declared a public holiday to ensure smooth participation. This phase is significant as it sets the tone for the larger electoral process in the region, with 2,316 polling stations in place, many of which are designated as highly sensitive. The elections are crucial for determining the political landscape and governance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.