Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan was elected as new president of Azad Jammu and Khashmir on Thursday by getting 32 votes during polling held at AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
His main rival PPP's Chaudhry Latif Akbar could only receive 13 votes.
The newly elected president is due to take oath at 5pm. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Saeed Akram will administer the oath. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the President's House.
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Iftikhar Gilani is also expected to attend the ceremony. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, ministers, members of the assembly, judges, senior civil servants and other prominent figures are also expected to be present.
Earlier, legislators voted in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to elect the territory’s new president, with polling under way in the Assembly hall in Muzaffarabad.
The AJK Legislative Assembly session is being chaired by Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, who announced the result of the presidential election after the counting of votes.
Polling was held from 10am to 1pm. The counting process began after polling closes.
The AJK Assembly session was convened by the Acting President under Article 27 of the Interim Constitution of 1974 and Rule 102 of the Election Rules 2020.
The election was held to fill the office of the AJK president, which has remained vacant since the death of Barrister Sultan Mahmood in January.
PPP's Chaudhry Latif Akbar initially served as acting president before Chaudhry Tariq Farooq assumed the role after becoming Assembly speaker.
The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary force in the newly elected assembly, securing 25 of the 38 directly elected seats and five of the seven reserved seats, while the PPP won 12 directly elected seats and two reserved seats. An independent member from the Awami Dast-o-Bazu party also joined the PML-N.
The election schedule for four seats of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council has also been released; polling is set for October 12, and the Election Commission has issued a notification to this effect.
PM Shehbaz felicitates Najeeb Naqi
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Dr. Najeeb Naqi on his election as President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, he said the election of Dr. Najeeb Naqi reflects the confidence reposed in him by the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that Dr. Najeeb Naqi would perform his responsibilities effectively and play a meaningful role in the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated the federal government's commitment to extending full cooperation for the development and prosperity of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.