PTI and TTAP Reject GB Election Results, Decry Rigging Similar to 2024 Polls

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday rejected the tentative results of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections for 24 seats, alleging widespread rigging and calling for a re-election in one constituency in Astore.

Initial results from Sunday’s polls show the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leading in 10 constituencies, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in six, and independent candidates in five. PTI-backed candidates were reported leading in two seats — Naik Karim in Hunza and Sohail Abbas in Gilgit — while an ally, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen’s Muhammad Kazim, was ahead in Skardu.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan accused the party of being barred from campaigning before the election, calling it a “planned arrangement aimed at eliminating the party from the polls.” He claimed PTI was winning 100% in eight constituencies across Astore, Diamer, Nagar, and Ghizer, but alleged these results were overturned through rigging, vote-stuffing, and bogus votes. The party demanded a re-election in Rehmanpur, Astore, citing evidence of 167 fraudulent votes.

“PTI rejects the process, results and vote count of this election,” Gohar said, adding that the party would publish a white paper and organize a protest in Gilgit-Baltistan. He also called for representation in the reserved women’s and technocrat seats. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) condemned the elections as an “action replay” of the 2024 general elections, accusing authorities of undermining democratic credibility. TTAP leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai criticized the electoral process and urged dialogue to address protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).