A person died in Kotli district during the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections amid clashes between PPP and PML-N workers.The incident occurred in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal) after allegations of rigging and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.The PPP accused the opposition of using armed men to influence polling, leading to demands for arrests and security measures.Election Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan extended voting hours to 6pm across three districts.

Both parties blamed each other for pre-poll rigging, with PML-N alleging that PPP candidates were involved in ballot paper destruction and ballot stuffing.The Election Commission arrested two presiding officers for not reaching polling stations, while a FIR was filed against three officials.Security was heightened with police, Rangers, and army deployed to ensure order.AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his vote in Bhimber, emphasizing the need for fair elections.

The contest is seen as a clash between PPP's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N's Nawaz Sharif, with both parties accusing each other of electoral malpractice.