Islamabad: The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has released the final list of candidates for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections.
According to Beyond Time News, a total of 852 candidates will contest across 45 constituencies. This comes after more than 320 aspirants withdrew from the race.
Final election phase begins
Additionally, the election commission has allotted symbols to 24 registered political parties.
However, symbols for independent candidates will be issued later.
Furthermore, officials confirmed that 126 candidates will contest 12 refugee constituencies.
Kotli leads the race
Kotli district has the highest number of candidates.
In total, 135 candidates will compete for six constituencies.
As a result, Kotli has become one of the most competitive regions in the election.
Muzaffarabad and surrounding regions
Meanwhile, Muzaffarabad also shows strong competition.
Here, 126 candidates will contest five seats.
Similarly, Poonch and Sudhanoti will see 126 candidates competing across seven constituencies.
Therefore, these areas are expected to remain highly competitive during the campaign.
PTI Announces Boycott of July 27 AJK Legislative Assembly Elections, Cites Political Environment
Participation across other districts
In addition, other districts also show active participation.
For example:
- Mirpur: 98 candidates for 4 seats
- Bagh and Haveli: 83 candidates for 4 seats
- Bhimber: 63 candidates for 3 seats
- Neelum: 51 candidates for 2 seats
- Jhelum Valley: 34 candidates for 2 seats
Moreover, officials said every constituency will see contested elections.
Symbol allocation process
Furthermore, the election commission has already assigned symbols to all 24 political parties.
However, independent candidates will receive symbols in the coming days.
Subsequently, this process will complete the final stage of election preparation.
Why this election is important
Importantly, AJK elections play a key political role in the region.
They reflect voter sentiment across districts. Additionally, they often influence regional political trends.
Moreover, a large number of candidates usually signals strong political engagement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 852 candidates are now officially in the race for the 2026 AJK elections.
Kotli remains the most competitive district. Meanwhile, other regions also show strong participation.
Therefore, the election is expected to be closely contested across all constituencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many candidates are contesting AJK elections 2026?
A total of 852 candidates are contesting across 45 constituencies.
Which district has the most candidates?
Kotli leads with 135 candidates competing for six seats.
How many political parties are involved?
The Election Commission has allotted symbols to 24 registered parties.
How many refugee seats are there?
There are 12 refugee constituencies with 126 candidates.
Which district has the lowest number of candidates?
Jhelum Valley has the lowest, with 34 candidates for two seats.
Hashtags
#AJKElections #PakistanNews #Election2026 #Kotli #Muzaffarabad #Mirpur #Bhimber #ElectionCommission #BreakingNews #SouthAsiaNews
