The Gilgit-Baltistan Elections are underway across the region’s 24 directly contested legislative assembly seats amid extensive security arrangements. Voting started at 8am on Sunday and will continue until 5pm.
The election is drawing significant attention because it comes after a four-month delay caused by severe winter conditions. Moreover, political parties view the contest as a key test of their influence in the strategically important region.
Gilgit-Baltistan Elections Attract Hundreds of Candidates
A total of 396 candidates are contesting the Gilgit-Baltistan Elections, including 266 independents. Only eight women are participating in the race, with five running as independent candidates.
Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly consists of 33 seats. Of these, 24 are elected directly, while six seats are reserved for women and three for technocrats and professionals through proportional representation.
The region’s 10 districts have 963,034 registered voters. These include 566,097 male voters and 396,937 female voters.
Raja Shahbaz Khan Reviews Polling Process
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan visited multiple polling stations in Gilgit city to assess the voting process and security arrangements.
According to an interview with PTV News, Khan reported satisfactory security measures at the polling locations he inspected. Furthermore, he stated that women were participating in large numbers, reflecting growing awareness of democratic rights.
He also noted that political parties were taking part peacefully in the electoral process. As a result, election authorities expressed confidence in the overall conduct of voting.
Sajid Ali Baig Monitors Election Security
Caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig also visited several polling stations during the day. He stated that the overall environment remained peaceful.
However, Baig acknowledged that some communities had requested additional police deployment to ensure smooth polling. He added that authorities were addressing minor irregularities promptly whenever they were reported.
PPP and PML-N Lead Major Contest
The Gilgit-Baltistan Elections feature participation from several national and regional parties. PPP has fielded 23 candidates, while PML-N is contesting 22 seats.
Other parties in the race include IPP, PML-Q, JUI-F, Jamaat-e-Islami, MQM-P, MWM, AWP, ANP and several independent candidates.
Political observers are closely watching the contests involving Advocate Amjad Hussain of PPP and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman of PML-N.
Hussain is contesting from GBA-1 Gilgit. Meanwhile, Rehman is seeking victory from GBA-2 Gilgit after previously serving as chief minister from 2015 to 2020.
Security Measures Strengthen Gilgit-Baltistan Elections
Authorities have deployed significant security resources to support the Gilgit-Baltistan Elections. Around 6,000 Punjab Police personnel and 2,000 Islamabad Police officers have been assigned election duties.
Election officials established 1,391 polling stations across the region. Of these, 488 are categorized as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive.
Diamer district has the highest number of highly sensitive polling stations, with 119 out of 174 locations falling into that category. Consequently, additional security personnel have been stationed in vulnerable areas.
Political Campaigns Shape Election Battle
The previous elections in 2020 were won by PTI when the party also governed at the federal level. However, former chief minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was reportedly disqualified in 2023 over allegations related to a fake degree.
Subsequently, a coalition government involving PTI, PPP and PML-N members took office under Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan.
In the lead-up to the current vote, both PPP and PML-N intensified their campaigns. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed rallies in multiple districts, while PML-N President Nawaz Sharif visited Gilgit to mobilize supporters.
At the same time, PTI raised concerns regarding what it described as a lack of a level playing field. The party also alleged obstacles to its election campaign activities. Meanwhile, PPP questioned the deployment of Punjab Police personnel and the involvement of federal ministers in campaign activities.
Gilgit-Baltistan Elections Remain Peaceful
Election officials have urged citizens to exercise their democratic rights responsibly. According to election authorities, arrangements were made to ensure transparent and peaceful voting throughout the region.
As polling continues, attention remains focused on voter turnout, key constituency battles and the eventual formation of the next Gilgit-Baltistan government.
