More than a million voters will head to polling stations on Sunday as Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral battle enters its crucial second phase, with voting scheduled for nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) settled in Pakistan.

The AJK Election Commission said that all arrangements had been completed to ensure peaceful, transparent and fair polling, with election material delivered to all polling stations in the 12 refugee and nine Muzaffarabad, Neelum and Jhelum Valley constituencies.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said polling material was being delivered to the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division in the final stage while polling staff had been dispatched to their respective stations under tight security.

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The CEC urged voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote, describing the ballot as a trust that should be placed in the hands of honest and competent candidates.

The second phase assumes particular political significance following the PML-N’s dominant performance in the first phase in Mirpur Division, where it secured nine of the 13 seats while the PPP won only four.

Today’s polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies will therefore provide a crucial test of whether the PML-N can extend its first-phase advantage or whether the PPP can regain momentum in the electoral contest.

The CEC appealed to voters to participate actively in the democratic process, saying all necessary arrangements had been made for peaceful, transparent and impartial elections.