Uncertainty continues to shroud the electoral landscape of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), yet the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has moved quickly to assert its dominance. On Monday, the party declared it had secured 23 of the 45 general seats in the Legislative Assembly, a tally it says is sufficient to form the next government. The announcement arrived ahead of the final polling phase scheduled for August 10, with the party citing unofficial results from the second phase of voting. The declaration was made by Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, who appeared alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam. Sanaullah framed the outcome as a decisive mandate, even as opposition parties raised serious concerns about the conduct of the elections. Main Developments According to Sanaullah, the PML-N secured 13 seats in the Muzaffarabad division during Sunday's second phase of polling, including four of the seven constituencies in Muzaffarabad city. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) trailed with three seats in the division. Additionally, the PML-N claimed 10 of the 12 seats reserved for refugees, with the PPP taking the remaining two. Read also: Why PML-N's AJK Win Comes With a Political Catch However, the electoral process has not been without disruption. Polling in constituency LA-27 was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, while voting at 54 polling stations in LA-27 and LA-28 is scheduled to take place on Tuesday. The PML-N parliamentary party is set to convene after the final phase on August 10 to discuss the formation of the next AJK government. Unofficial provisional results from the second phase showed the PML-N winning 13 of the 18 constituencies announced so far, while the PPP secured five seats. These figures, though preliminary, underscore the PML-N's strong position heading into the final phase. Background The AJK elections have been marred by allegations of irregularities and incidents of violence. The PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has claimed that its leaders were attacked during polling and that one of its workers was killed. These allegations have been sharply rejected by the PML-N, with Sanaullah accusing the PPP of colluding with the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to disrupt the electoral process. Sanaullah alleged that the PPP and JAAC instigated unrest at a public square in Muzaffarabad, where gunfire was exchanged after police arrived. He contended that the death of an individual during the incident created fear among voters, leading to lower turnout and contributing to the PML-N's defeat in one of the city constituencies. He also accused the PPP of staging an alleged assassination attempt involving Chaudhry Latif Akbar, a PPP candidate, claiming that a confrontation involving punches and verbal exchanges was exaggerated as an attack on Akbar's life. Furthermore, Sanaullah alleged that the PPP began levelling rigging allegations shortly after polling commenced, after failing to secure favourable results in the first phase. He claimed the PPP initially raised objections in 13 constituencies, which were later reduced to four and eventually two after the party was asked to provide evidence. Why It Matters These developments carry significant political weight for the region. The PML-N's claim of victory, if confirmed, would consolidate its control over AJK's legislative assembly, a key strategic area given its geopolitical importance. The allegations and counter-allegations between the PML-N and PPP highlight the heightened tensions surrounding the electoral process, which could undermine public confidence in the results. The postponement of polling in certain constituencies and the rescheduling of voting in others also raise questions about the smooth execution of the electoral process. For residents of AJK, the outcome will directly influence governance and development priorities in the region, making the final phase on August 10 a critical juncture. What's Next With the third and final phase of elections scheduled for August 10, the PML-N is expected to consolidate its position once the remaining results are announced. The party's parliamentary party will meet after this phase to discuss the formation of the next AJK government, a process that will be closely watched by political observers. In the interim, voting at the 54 polling stations in LA-27 and LA-28 on Tuesday will be crucial. The PPP's response to the final results, and whether it chooses to pursue legal challenges or accept the outcome, remains an open question. The PML-N has offered a forensic audit of the polling stations where rigging was alleged, a proposal that could either defuse tensions or further fuel the dispute.