Voting Amid Protests and Boycotts in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir

Muzaffarabad, Pakistan – As polling stations opened in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the city had already experienced two days of shutdowns and deserted streets. Despite the scheduled vote on Sunday, the city appeared to have no intention of participating.

Unrest began on June 5 when authorities banned the local pressure group Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) from holding protests against high prices and demanding improved governance. JAAC protests quickly turned into a campaign to abolish 12 seats in the regional Legislative Assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees living elsewhere in Pakistan.

As protests intensified, Pakistani authorities cracked down on JAAC leaders. Meanwhile, weeks of marches, negotiations, and repression forced the Election Commission to split the vote into three phases. Mirpur district voted on July 27, followed by Muzaffarabad and the 12 refugee seats on Sunday. Poonch district, a JAAC stronghold and site of the deadliest clashes, will vote last on August 10.

Continuous internet outages lasting more than 50 days hampered campaigning and made reporting from the region difficult.

Eight Weeks of Unrest

The second phase of voting began at 8 a.m. (GMT) on Sunday under heavy security. Paramilitary forces and police were deployed across Muzaffarabad. Markets, banks, and gas stations had been closed since Friday, and public transport was suspended as deadly protests spread.

Residents and human rights groups said the death toll exceeded 50, including at least seven law enforcement personnel. The government has not released official figures. JAAC says more than 60 civilians have been killed since June. The group's leaders did not participate in the election and called for a boycott of the vote.

At a main square in Muzaffarabad, groups of young men gathered to protest the election and criticize political leadership. "We have no problem with Pakistan or its army," a man in his late 20s told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, fearing retaliation from authorities. "We came out for our rights and we were shot straight."

Ahmer Gilani, 31, told Al Jazeera he boycotted the vote to protest the government's crackdown on JAAC supporters "without a single apology." "The way the government targeted protesters makes me very disappointed. No government should shoot its own people."

Liaqat Ali Malik, Inspector General of Police for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rejected allegations that his forces were responsible for civilian deaths and accused some media outlets of being sympathetic to JAAC protesters. "I lost 7 of my men. Over 200 of my officers were injured in recent weeks, but nobody wants to highlight that violent elements used weapons," Malik told Al Jazeera on Monday. He also accused JAAC supporters of repeatedly trying to disrupt the voting. "In some places, groups of youths even tried to snatch voting material throughout the morning and late evening after polling hours."

Under the Shadow of Guns

For many Muzaffarabad residents, the election was not just about candidates or platforms but a verdict on a political class they believe has exploited them for decades. "We don't want to re-elect these politicians to power," a resident of Muzaffarabad told Al Jazeera, asking to remain anonymous. "People are dying and getting injured fighting for our rights."

A first-time voter said she changed her mind after the deaths in the towns of Rawalakot, Mirpur, and Kotli in recent weeks. "Where were they when people were dying?" she asked of the campaigning candidates. Another resident, also a first-time voter, was scathing: "These politicians exploit every vote they get for their own benefit. This time, voting for them is like voting for the one who killed you."

However, not everyone stayed home. Yasir Josh, 28, said he voted for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the region's ruling party, "because PMLN wants to form a government with a two-thirds majority and carry out dictatorial actions." PMLN is the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Voting was canceled in two constituencies due to heavy rain and landslides. Some residents accused JAAC protesters of blocking access. Re-polling was expected on Tuesday. Al Jazeera reached out to several JAAC leaders but could not make contact.

Meanwhile, the PPP said one of its workers, Syed Mushtaq Shah, was killed in an attack they blamed on PMLN supporters on Sunday. PMLN denied the allegation, saying Shah died of a heart attack after a scuffle.

Despite JAAC's boycott calls, election officials claimed a turnout of nearly 50%, higher than the 46% recorded in the first phase but still lower than the over 60% seen in the 2021 and 2016 elections.

"This election, under the current circumstances, is a big challenge, and I am grateful to God that we have successfully completed two phases," Election Commission Chairman Ghulam Mustafa Mughal told Al Jazeera. Mughal said the ruling PMLN had won 14 of the 18 seats declared so far, while the PPP took the remaining 4. The PPP also alleged widespread fraud, a charge Mughal rejected, arguing that the ruling party's losses prove the process was fair.

Attention now turns to Poonch district, a JAAC stronghold. The area is expected to see more protests ahead of August 10, with marches to Muzaffarabad planned over the next 48 hours.