Politics

PoK polls marred by violence, 19 killed amid clashes

PoK polls turn violent, leaving 19 dead and several injured as parties allege rigging during elections.

By · · GlobalToday24x7

The first phase of elections to the so-called legislative assembly in PoK turned violent on Jul 27, with at least 19 people killed, several others injured and rival political parties accusing each other of poll rigging amid continuing anti-government protests.

India has consistently maintained that Pakistan is in illegal occupation of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

New Delhi has described the unrest in PoK as a direct consequence of Islamabad's "systemic exploitation and administrative oppression" in territories under its "forcible occupation" and has criticised reports of police action against protesters.

Both PPP and PML-N accused each other of electoral malpractice in multiple constituencies, while polling was briefly disrupted at several stations following clashes between rival supporters.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the polls, while the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has been banned by the authorities.

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