Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) bagged nine seats while Pakistan Peoples Party bagged four seats in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir local government elections, said Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

Talking to a press conference in Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah congratulated all winning candidates and hoped the new elected MPs would work successfully to address the public issues.

He stated that the media have been giving full coverage to the election activities and voter participation during the whole day of election and the polling hours have been extended by one hour to enable more people to cast their votes.

He said that the Election Commission, civil administration, police and other institutions guaranteed transparent and peaceful polling in Mirpur Division and the overall voting process was organised well.

Rana Sanaullah, commenting on the fatal shooting incident, said that it was the result of a long-standing family feud as members of the same family belonged to opposing political parties.

The current firing incident left one dead and one to two others injured while the same dispute had resulted in the death of prominent PML-N leader Malik Ashiq roughly 10 days ago, he said.

He said, apart from this event, the polling was quiet in Mirpur Division without any serious law and order difficulties.

Rana Sanaullah said the authorities took quick action against a candidate in LA-6 seat for allegedly inciting chaos and trying to burn ballot papers in violation of the election code of conduct. The candidate was arrested, a case was registered and legal actions were underway, he said, adding numerous individuals engaged in the firing incident had also been apprehended.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam commended peaceful conduct of first phase of elections stating that people of Azad Kashmir have actively exercised their democratic right.

He said the success of the PML-N was a testimony of the hard work made by party workers and the public’s faith in the party. He added organisational reforms, unity within the party and effective teamwork over the past year were factors contributing to the result.

Amir Muqam also appreciated the Election Commission, security services and civil administration. Voters have reposed their trust on the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and policies of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Rana Sanaullah credited the party’s success to a well-planned campaign, excellent team work and smart electoral strategy. He thanked the parliamentary board and Nawaz Sharif for taking part in public rallies to boost the campaign.

He said Nawaz Sharif had promised the people of Azad Kashmir that he would personally supervise development projects and public welfare schemes in the province.

The adviser further mentioned that the rule of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had won the trust of the people of Azad Kashmir who wanted to see development and welfare programs like Punjab.

He said all political parties should follow the public mandate and in a democratic system, voters are the real masters. He noted that, while political parties will inevitably put forward their programs and criticize their opponents in the election campaigns, they should accept the results of the elections in a democratic spirit.

He said the criticism of political opponents was respected by PML-N and the concerned governments would deal with any problem requiring inquiry under the law.

In a reaction to the political criticism, Rana Sanaullah said that PML-N respects PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the head of a significant democratic party and stressed that the political differences should be within democratic rules.

To end, he said democracy is built on the supremacy of the mandate of the people and all political parties must accept the verdict of the voters, whether it leads to a single party or coalition administration in accordance with constitutional principles.