Gilgit-Baltistan votes in legislative assembly elections on Sunday; 24 constituencies up for grabs

< renovations, GILGIT: The general elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly will proceed as scheduled on Sunday, following a four-month delay caused by severe winter conditions. Political parties, including the PPP, have intensified campaign efforts across the region through rallies and outreach programs to secure voter support. All logistical preparations have been finalized for voting in 24 constituencies. The GB Election Commission reports 958,480 registered voters, comprising 503,772 male and 454,708 female citizens. A total of 396 candidates are contesting the elections, with independents comprising the largest bloc at 266 contenders. Notably, only eight women candidates are participating, including five independents. Political alliances feature prominently in the electoral landscape: the PPP fields 23 candidates (one female), while PML-N has submitted 22 nominations (one female). The Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) presents 15 candidates, PTI enters 10, and the Pakistan Nazaryati Party lists 10 contenders. Additional participants include 9 from Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), 7 from Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), 6 each from Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), 4 from Awami Workers Party (AWP), and single candidates from Awami National Party (ANP), Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), and PML-Q. Voting operations will commence at 8:00 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM local time on election day. Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has authorized district returning officers to enforce election laws rigorously through his notification granting first-class magistrate delegation powers. He emphasized strict adherence to procedural transparency and the election code of conduct to guarantee fair outcomes. GB Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ghulam Abbas urged citizen participation during a public address, framing voting as both a civic right and national duty. He highlighted that electoral engagement strengthens democratic foundations and ensures regional development. Abbas specifically encouraged residents to overcome external pressures and exercise independent judgment at polling stations. Local officials and party representatives report heightened security coordination and logistical readiness to accommodate the expanded electorate while maintaining orderly proceedings across all constituencies.

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