'Neither Free, Nor Fair PoK Polls': Bilawal Bhutto Alleges Rigging, Accuses PML-N Of Undermining Electoral Process | Exclusive
'Neither Free, Nor Fair PoK Polls': Bilawal Bhutto Alleges Rigging, Accuses PML-N Of Undermining Electoral Process | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026
'Neither Free, Nor Fair PoK Polls': Bilawal Bhutto Alleges Rigging, Accuses PML-N Of Undermining Electoral Process | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 18:26 IST Bilawal claimed that the first phase of polling was "neither free nor fair" and vowed that the PPP would protect the public mandate Rapid Read Bilawal Bhutto (File PIc: AP) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged widespread irregularities in the first phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), accusing the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of attempting to manipulate the electoral outcome. Bilawal claimed that the first phase of polling was “neither free nor fair" and vowed that the PPP would protect the public mandate. Alleging systematic rigging, Bilawal accused the PML-N of attempting to capture nearly 30 polling stations to influence election results, claiming that the party was trying to “steal seats" through unlawful means. He further alleged that an atmosphere of fear and violence had been created to facilitate electoral manipulation and described the reported irregularities as part of a recurring pattern of election interference.
The PPP chairman also claimed that polling stations had been “hijacked at gunpoint" and accused elements of the state machinery of being used to influence the electoral process. These allegations have not been independently verified. Bilawal asserted that the PPP would not tolerate what he described as an attempt to rob the people’s mandate or the sacrifice of party workers for political gain. He warned that his party would resist any effort to alter the election outcome. Calling the alleged irregularities “a direct attack on democracy," Bilawal urged voters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir to remain vigilant and defend their mandate during the next phase of polling scheduled for August 2. The PML-N has not publicly responded to Bilawal Bhutto’s allegations at the time of filing this report. THE ELECTIONS Legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are currently being held in three phases amid widespread protests, political boycotts, and violent clashes. The initial polling phase on July 27, 2026, was severely marred by election rigging allegations, ballot box burning, and deadly confrontations between political workers and security forces.
First Phase Results In the first phase, covering 13 constituencies in the Mirpur division, the military-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured 9 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the remaining 4 seats. Both parties are coalition partners at the federal level in Pakistan. The opening round of voting witnessed severe clashes and firing incidents, resulting in the death of at least one political worker and injuries to several others. Major political forces and rights groups sat out or were excluded from the process. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the polls, citing a lack of free and fair conditions. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)—which had been leading prolonged protests against inflation, electricity costs, and refugee seats—was banned by authorities in June. The elections for the 53-seat assembly (45 directly elected and 8 reserved for women, technocrats, and clerics) are staggered into three phases. Following the Mirpur division vote, the Muzaffarabad division and refugee seats go to the polls, with the final phase concluding in the Poonch district.
The BriefWire