One killed as violence, rigging claims mar first phase of PoK polls
The first phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was marred by violence, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. Rival political parties, including the PPP and PML-N, have traded accusations of electoral rigging and intimidation.
Why it matters
The violence underscores the volatile political climate and disputed status of the region, which remains a flashpoint in South Asian geopolitics.
The first phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) was marred by violence on Monday, with rival political parties accusing each other of electoral malpractice after a political worker was killed and several others were injured during polling conducted in illegally occupied Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) alleged that 35-year-old party worker Mukhtar Younus was shot dead during voting in Nikyal in Kotli district. The party blamed supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the firing."Our party worker, Mukhtar Yunus, was killed and two others injured during incidents of firing by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates," the PPP said. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari questioned the role of the authorities after the incident."Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?"
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