One Killed, Ballot Box Burnt as Violence Mars Opening Phase of PoK Polls

Bullets fly in PoK, polling stations set ablaze, chaos erupts

The first round of legislative elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir turned into an absolute farce on Monday, destroying any semblance of a free and orderly vote. Mirpur Division was locked down by heavily armed security units, but their aggressive deployment failed to prevent rival political factions from tearing the streets apart.

Armed thugs stormed a voting booth, trashed the place and set fire to a ballot box. That was the point of no return. Ballots went up in flames, as election workers ducked in shock. The scuffle turned to live gunfire in seconds. One person was killed on the sidewalk, and several others were taken to local emergency rooms in serious condition with gunshot wounds. Terrified residents ran for their lives as wailing sirens echoed across the division, turning a routine democratic vote into a gruesome tragedy.

Empty streets. Scorching weather. A feeling of impending fear.

It was more than the direct clashes. The election dragged on through the day under a heavy cloud of dread and intimidation. As the morning hours passed, Mirpur’s main polling places remained almost empty.

The tarmac was blistered by a savage heatwave, and the afternoon heat soared, leaving people cooped up inside. But then again, it wasn’t just the hot weather that kept people away. The heavy-handed presence of paramilitary guards with assault rifles on every corner, together with the constant threat of street brawls, terrified the local population. In such an inhospitable climate, the only sensible choice for the average, everyday family was to stay safely behind locked doors.

Next Round Looms as Local Officials Come Under Massive Scrutiny

Electorate returns on day one, body count, and voting gear incinerated. Election administrators are catching furious blowback for their complete inability to secure the grounds. Now, emergency huddles behind closed doors are trying to figure out how to lock down remaining booths in nearby districts before the next phase of voting hits.

The two political camps have already begun trading bitter insults, each accusing the other of starting the bloodbath. The entire electoral calendar is hanging by a very thin thread, with security commanders racing to stitch up the broken lines of defence. The day’s violence has exposed the cracks at the heart of the regional set-up, and the road ahead will continue to be bumpy.