AJK Poll Officials Arrested as Rigging Claims Roil Kotli Vote

Two election officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir were suspended and taken into custody on Monday after allegedly transporting polling material to a private residence rather than their assigned polling station. The incident occurred in Kotli during the opening phase of the 2026 AJK Legislative Assembly elections and immediately triggered demands for an investigation into possible electoral interference.

According to the AJK Election Commission, the two presiding officers were found with two polling bags at the private property. A returning officer intervened, secured the election material and arranged for replacement presiding officers to take charge before sending them to the designated polling station.

The commission said disciplinary and legal proceedings had begun against the detained officials. Its spokesperson maintained that negligence, procedural violations or attempts to compromise the integrity of the election would not be tolerated, adding that authorities were taking measures to preserve a transparent and impartial voting process.

The episode prompted a strong reaction from senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Rana Sanaullah, who called for polling in the Kotli LA-10 constituency to be postponed until the circumstances surrounding the movement of the bags were fully examined. He asked the AJK prime minister and chief election commissioner to initiate an inquiry into the officials identified in his statement as Saqlain and Qaiser Patwari.

Sanaullah argued that investigators must establish where the polling material was being taken, who authorised the movement and whether any other individuals were involved. He also demanded checks on polling bags across the constituency and said the credibility of the LA-10 result would remain under question unless the authorities publicly clarified the chain of events.

The allegations emerged as voters prepared to cast ballots for 13 assembly seats across Mirpur Division in the first stage of the wider AJK election. Four constituencies are located in Mirpur, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli, where candidates from the PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party, PTI-backed groups, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and independent platforms are contesting several closely watched races.

Political tensions had already increased before polling, with the PML-N and PPP exchanging accusations despite cooperating at the federal level. The PPP accused federal figures of attempting to influence the electoral environment, while PML-N leaders challenged their rivals over campaign statements and the handling of election preparations in sensitive constituencies.

Authorities had deployed approximately 17,000 security personnel and around 22,000 election officials across Mirpur Division. AJK officials said police contingents from the four provinces, Rangers and the Federal Constabulary were assigned to polling stations and sensitive locations, while election material was transported under security arrangements intended to prevent disruption or intimidation.

The arrest of election personnel carrying polling bags is likely to intensify scrutiny of ballot security, staff accountability and the documentation of polling material. Even where no manipulation is ultimately established, an unexplained break in election procedure can weaken public confidence and provide political parties with grounds to challenge results.

Attention will now focus on the Election Commission's inquiry, the condition and contents of the recovered bags, and whether officials decide to continue or delay voting in Kotli LA-10. A prompt, evidence-based investigation and public disclosure of its findings will be important for maintaining confidence in the remaining phases of the AJK election.