Vote counting underway after polling concludes for Gilgit-Baltistan elections

Gilgit (Web Desk): Polling for all 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly was completed smoothly on Sunday.

Polling began at 8:00am and continued uninterrupted until 5:00pm whereas, the people already in the queue, were granted additional time to cat their vote.

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 396,937 are women.

A total of 403 candidates, including 8 women were competing for the 24 general seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

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.

The Election Commission had set up a total of 1,391 polling stations across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Out of these, 488 were marked as normal, 349 as sensitive, and 551 as highly sensitive, indicating heightened security categorisation in several areas.

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

Meanwhile, the CEC visited several polling stations to personally observe the voting process and review administrative and security arrangements.

Speaking to media following the polling, he expressed satisfaction over the overall conduct of the elections and noted that women voters participated in significant numbers, reflecting a strong turnout.

Raja Shahbaz Khan further stated that the law and order situation remained stable throughout the polling hours, allowing the electoral exercise to be carried out in a calm atmosphere.

He said that the election process was completed without disruption and in an orderly manner.

The CEC said that his visits to different polling stations were aimed at assessing ground realities and ensuring that arrangements were functioning properly.

He said that polling staff and security personnel carried out their responsibilities in an efficient manner, and polling agents present at stations were also asked if they had any objections or complaints regarding the process.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) fielded 23 candidates, making it the largest group in the contest. It was followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 22 candidates. Independents backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) numbered 19.

Other participants included the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) with 15 candidates, the Pakistan Nazriyati Party with 11, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Islami Tehreek Pakistan (ITP) each with nine nominees, the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) with seven candidates, and both the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) with six candidates each. The Awami Workers Party (AWP) also participated by fielding four candidates.

Strict security arrangements were in place across Gilgit-Baltistan, with personnel from local police, the Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and additional contingents from Punjab and Sindh police deployed at polling stations and key locations.

Additional security personnel were deployed at sensitive and highly sensitive sites, while law enforcement agencies remained on high alert throughout the polling period.

Speaking to newsmen Inspector General of Gilgit-Baltistan Police Nasir Akbar Khan confirmed that more than 17,500 security personnel were assigned duties for the election day.

He added that police, Rangers, and other agencies stayed vigilant and ensured enhanced security presence, particularly in vulnerable polling areas.