For the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections 2026, the political campaigning has entered its most competitive phase. With intensified rallies of major parties, door-to-door canvassing, social media campaigns, and worker conventions, the poll is proceeding despite the weeks of unrest claiming around 30 lives, highlighting authorities to split voting into three phases and strengthen security arrangements. 

Election Commission of AJK has scheduled polling for Mirpur Division on July 27, Muzaffarabad Division on August 2, and Poonch Division on August 10. A total of 3,804,368 registered voters cast ballots at 6,983 polling stations and 10,913 polling booths to elect representatives for 33 territorial seats and 12 migrant and refugee seats in the 45-member Legislative Assembly.

The elections follow protests linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which was banned under anti-terrorism laws over allegations of violent activities. JAAC has rejected the allegations. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said preparations had reached the final stage and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to free, fair and transparent elections. Justice Mughal, Senior Member Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan, Member Syed Nazeer-ul-Hassan Gilani and Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel Khan inspected polling stations and security arrangements, while advance polling concluded peacefully except in Rawalakot and Sudhnoti, where it was postponed because of security concerns.

Pakistan People Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has led an energetic campaign since arriving in AJK on July 14. At rallies in Kotli and Dadyal, he pledged greater constitutional rights, called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, demanded restoration of internet services and promised observer representation for AJK in the Council of Common Interests, National Finance Commission and National Assembly. PPP has also formed an electoral alliance with JUI-F, with Aamir Zeashan confirming support for Maulana Saeed Yousaf in LA-23. The party expects to benefit from PTI’s boycott and has reportedly discussed post-election cooperation with PML-N and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), contesting 44 seats, has intensified its campaign through rallies led by Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior leader Saad Rafique coordinated strategy and grassroots mobilization. The party has focused on development, federal support and stability. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which won 32 of 53 seats in 2021, is boycotting the election after failing to secure an official election symbol. Deputy Information Secretary Raja Farrukh Mumtaz questioned the fairness of the process, although several PTI-backed candidates are contesting as independents. 

The IPP, led locally by former AJK Prime Minister Tanveer Ilyas, has fielded 38 candidates and focused on constituency-level outreach, despite an armed attack targeting senior leader Sardar Ilyas Tanvir. Other contenders include Muslim Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami with 36 candidates each, Pakistan National Party (PNP) with 14, Jammu Kashmir People’s Party (JKPP) with nine and several influential independents. 

Across AJK, parties are relying on rallies, corner meetings, youth and women mobilization, village visits and meetings with community elders. While PPP and PML-N dominate the campaign landscape, analysts believe undecided voters, particularly in Mirpur and other closely contested constituencies, could play a decisive role in determining the outcome.