Final vote delayed in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir over security fears
Regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have been marred by delays and security concerns following recent deadly protests. While the ruling PML-N party is expected to form the government, opposition parties have alleged electoral fraud.
Why it matters
The instability in the region poses a significant challenge to Pakistan's internal governance and its fragile political coalition.
The third round of regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was marred by delays and security concerns on Monday (August 10, 2026), weeks after deadly protests erupted in the region and authorities imposed sweeping restrictions.
Clashes in the region have led to road closures and an internet blackout, posing a sensitive challenge for Pakistan, which frequently criticises New Delhi’s handling of dissent in Indian-administered Kashmir but is now facing anger in the territory under its own control.
Monday’s (August 10) vote was supposed to be the final of three election rounds. But authorities postponed polls in seven of the 11 remaining constituencies late last week to an undetermined date “after reviewing a report about the law-and-order situation,” Raja Shakeel, a local Election Commission official, told Reuters in a phone interview.
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