The first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections commenced in the Mirpur division's 13 constituencies on July 27, 2026.Polling stations opened at 8am and remained open until 5pm, with a public holiday declared across Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli districts to facilitate voting.Over 2,316 polling stations were set up, including 1,241 highly sensitive and 724 sensitive locations.A multi-layered security plan involved police, Pakistan Rangers, Federal Constabulary, and the Pakistan Army, with 18,560 personnel deployed.

The Election Commission emphasized strict security measures to prevent disruptions, following warnings from Chief Election Commissioner Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal and Chief Secretary Khushal Khan.Political tensions emerged between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif, with both leaders actively campaigning.

Bilawal criticized Nawaz's 'gift' of electric buses to AJK voters, asserting that public infrastructure is a right, not a political favor.The election spans three phases due to security concerns, with subsequent phases scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in other divisions.Protests by the banned JAAC were anticipated but did not materialize, with police reporting no turnout for planned rallies.