Regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir descended into deadly violence, with leaders of a banned Kashmiri organization reporting on Wednesday that more than 30 people died near one town during clashes with security forces ahead of the second voting round.

Pakistan's main ruling party, the PML-N, secured nine of the 13 contested seats in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber during Monday's polling.

Originally set for a single day on July 27, the vote was divided into three stages across districts because of security worries, with the remaining rounds planned for August 2 and August 10.

The PTI party, which prevailed in the 2021 elections, stayed away from the process citing concerns over electoral irregularities.

The main protest group, the Joint Awami Action Committee, was outlawed by regional authorities in June, triggering violent demonstrations the previous month.

Banking, transport and internet services have remained largely cut off since, limiting information flow and preventing independent confirmation of the death toll reported by the group around Rawalakot.

Authorities say security personnel killed and injured

Officials reported that one security force member died and five others were wounded during Monday's clashes.

An unnamed official indicated awareness of at least three protester deaths in Mirpur during the week.

Pakistani officials defended the crackdown by alleging armed militants backed by India had joined the Kashmiri protesters, accusations India has rejected in the past.

"The entire election was a fraud," said Fazal Mahmood Baig, a resident of the regional capital Muzaffarabad, on Wednesday.

"We want this issue to be resolved peacefully," Sardar Mazhar stated during a demonstration in the Pakistani capital Islamabad.

Tensions go back decades

Longstanding tensions in the self-governing, Pakistan-administered portion of Kashmir have deep historical roots yet have recently intensified.

Advocates for greater regional autonomy have accused the national government in Islamabad of meddling in local politics and neglecting economic needs.

Discontent has frequently sparked protests over economic grievances. In 2022, demonstrators opposed high electricity costs in the region, which provides inexpensive hydroelectric power to other parts of Pakistan.

The JAAC channeled such frustrations after its founding in 2023 and emphasized demands for electoral reform. Twelve of the 45 directly elected seats in the local assembly are reserved for constituencies representing refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir under the regional constitution.

These seats have often been occupied by individuals living outside the region, and the JAAC has accused Islamabad of using them to influence local politics, charges rejected by Pakistani government officials.

No clear path forward

To establish a regional government, the PML-N would probably require backing from some of the 12 representatives, according to political analyst Hasan Askari.

"But when their government is dependent on those 12 controversial seats, how would it be able to find a solution for this issue?" Askari asked.

Even among candidates who participated in Monday's vote, the outcomes faced disputes. Parties leveled accusations of ballot box theft and vote rigging against one another.

Government officials confirmed one death and several injuries in clashes between supporters of Pakistan's two main ruling parties, the PML-N and PPP, in incidents separate from the JAAC protests.