Web Desk: Voters turned out in large numbers across Mirpur Division on Monday as polling began in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections, with election officials reporting a peaceful start to the voting process.
Polling opened at 8 am, and voters began arriving at polling stations early to cast their ballots, reflecting active participation in the electoral process.
Election authorities said polling was proceeding without interruption across the division, where residents are electing representatives from 13 constituencies.
Long queues formed outside several polling stations shortly after voting began as citizens exercised their constitutional right to vote.
The voter turnout came despite a call for protest issued by the Awami Action Committee for July 27.
Political observers said the participation suggested many voters opted to engage in the electoral process rather than respond to the protest appeal. The committee had issued several similar calls in recent months.
The early polling activity indicated that many residents chose to express their political preferences through the ballot box.
Election officials continued to monitor voting throughout the day, while security personnel remained deployed at polling stations to ensure the process remained orderly.
The first phase of the three-stage election is considered politically significant, with the outcome in Mirpur Division expected to influence momentum for the remaining rounds of voting in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Read more: Polling begins in first phase of Azad Kashmir elections
