MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan — Polling closed on Sunday in eight Muzaffarabad constituencies and 12 refugee seats in the second phase of Pakistan-administered Kashmir's regional elections, held amid a resident boycott and strike that left turnout at roughly 47 percent. Officials suspended voting in one Muzaffarabad seat due to rain and landslides and shut down internet services after protests by supporters of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee.
The polls followed a deadly clash on Friday that killed at least one person, part of unrest that has killed at least 80 people since June, according to local estimates. The JAAC claims more than 70 of its protesters have been killed by security forces. Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore warned he may reject the results, after the Pakistan Peoples Party alleged fraud in the first phase, which the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz dominated with nine of 13 seats.
Some 18,000 security personnel were deployed for the vote. The third phase is scheduled for August 10.