Polling underway for Gilgit-Baltistan general elections

Gilgit (Web Desk): Voting is underway across Gilgit-Baltistan as residents cast their ballots for the 24 seats of the legislative assembly in the region’s general elections.

Polling began at 8:00am and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00pm.

Official figures released by the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan show that the region’s 10 districts have a combined electorate of 963,034 voters. Of these, 566,097 are men while 456,937 are women.

A total of 396 candidates are competing for the 24 general seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, including 266 contestants running as independents.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly comprises 33 seats in total, with 24 members elected through direct voting, six seats reserved for women and three designated for technocrats.

In a move aimed at ensuring a smooth, transparent and peaceful electoral process, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has vested all District Returning Officers and Returning Officers with the powers of first-class magistrates for the duration of the polls.

Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Information Minister Ghulam Abbas on Sunday commended the active involvement of voters in the elections, describing the peaceful atmosphere at polling stations as a positive sign of the region’s dedication to democratic principles and future progress.

Speaking to a local media outlet, he said authorities had implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure the elections were conducted in a safe and orderly manner.

Abbas said that police personnel, Rangers, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and members of the Pakistan Army had been deployed throughout the region to safeguard the voting process and maintain law and order.

He stated that polling was underway without disruption and noted a strong turnout at polling stations, with large numbers of citizens exercising their right to vote.

The minister said the public response reflected growing engagement in the democratic process and a sense of responsibility among voters.

Abbas further remarked that the administration, along with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, remained determined to preserve peace and stability during the elections, which had helped create an environment conducive to fair, smooth and transparent voting.

The caretaker information minister also appealed to eligible voters to take part in the electoral process by casting their ballots and expressed his hopes for sustained peace, development, stability and prosperity across Gilgit-Baltistan in the years ahead.