First phase of AJK polls underway in Mirpur division amid allegations of rigging

The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have…