AJK Reserved Seats Polling Set for August 24 After PML-N Lead
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has announced that polling for eight reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly will be held on August 24, moving the region’s post-election process into its next decisive phase. The schedule was issued a day after the main electoral exercise concluded in AJK, where the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz emerged as the leading parliamentary force.
According to the commission’s announced timeline, candidates seeking reserved seats may submit nomination papers by August 20. The returning officer will scrutinise the documents the same day and then issue the list of eligible candidates, setting up a compressed but clearly defined process for filling the special seats.
The commission has also fixed August 21 for filing appeals against nomination papers, while those appeals will be heard and decided on August 22. The final list of candidates is scheduled to be released on August 23, just one day before polling takes place on August 24.
The development follows the completion of re-polling in 23 polling stations across LA-15 Bagh-II and LA-16 Bagh-III, which formally brought the 2026 AJK general election process to a close. With the Bagh results included, the PML-N secured 25 seats and became the largest party in the AJK Legislative Assembly, while the Pakistan Peoples Party finished second with 12 seats.
The reserved seats are politically important because they can strengthen the position of the leading party before government formation. The report notes that the PML-N is expected to gain six additional reserved seats, including categories for women, Ulema-o-Mashaikh, overseas Kashmiris and technocrats, which would further consolidate its parliamentary advantage.
AJK elections are closely watched in Pakistan’s national political environment because they often reflect the strength of major parties beyond the federal and provincial arenas. The latest results place the PML-N in a strong position to form the next government, while the PPP is expected to retain a major role as the principal opposition group.
The 2026 electoral exercise was conducted in three phases across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with the final phase delayed in some areas due to re-polling. The completion of the process now shifts attention from campaigning and constituency-level contests to Assembly arithmetic, reserved seat allocation and negotiations over the next government setup.
For the people of AJK, the final shape of the assembly will determine the political leadership responsible for development planning, local governance, public services and representation of regional concerns. Reserved seats also carry symbolic and practical significance because they bring women, religious scholars, overseas Kashmiris and professional voices into the legislative process.
The next few days will be crucial as candidates file papers, appeals are processed and the final list is issued before polling. Once the reserved seats are filled, the new balance of power in the AJK Legislative Assembly will become clearer, paving the way for government formation and the start of a new political term.