Pakistan, July 27 -- Polling concluded on Monday in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, with vote counting now underway. More than 1.4 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots across 13 constituencies. The election process was largely peaceful despite isolated incidents.

Voting took place in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber. A total of 296 candidates, including representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and independents, contested the seats. Women also participated in significant numbers.

Read more: Polling begins in first phase of AJK elections across Mirpur Division

Election authorities ...