G.BALTISTAN: Polling Concludes for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Assembly Elections, Unofficial Results Begin to Surface
The voting process for the 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Assembly has officially wrapped up, concluding a highly competitive electoral contest in the region. Unofficial results are now emerging as the vote counting progresses.
Polling day started early in the morning and proceeded smoothly without any interruptions until the closing time at 5pm. A total of 958,480 registered voters were eligible to participate in the elections. Over 400 candidates competed across the 24 assembly seats, with a fierce contest expected among major political parties, notably the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), along with various other political factions and independent hopefuls.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission has clarified that a social media notification claiming the disqualification of candidate Riyaz Akbar is false. The commission stated that no such notification was issued and that the document was forged, with the unauthorized use of the Provincial Election Commissioner’s name and signature considered a punishable offense under law.
Key Contenders & Critical Electoral Battles
To form a stable government independently, a party must secure at least 17 seats, which is considered a simple majority. Several key constituencies are garnering heightened attention due to their strategic importance and the strong candidates involved:
Gilgit Division: Power Dynamics in the Heart of the Region
– GBA-1 (Gilgit-I): A pivotal contest featuring Amjad Hussain Azar, the PPP’s regional president. Azar’s performance is crucial for the PPP’s prospects in Gilgit division, where he faces stiff competition from PML-N backed by the federal coalition, as well as anti-incumbency sentiments from youth-driven independent candidates.
– GBA-2 (Gilgit-II): The seat is a stronghold for Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, former Chief Minister and PML-N regional head, who relies on his track record of infrastructure development to fend off challenges from the PPP and local independent groups.
Baltistan Division: The Showdown of Powerhouses
– GBA-7 (Skardu-I): A contest between seasoned politicians. Syed Mehdi Shah, the PPP’s veteran leader and former Chief Minister, faces tough opposition in a race heavily influenced by local community councils.
– GBA-8 (Skardu-II): Syed Amjad Ali Zaidi, a former GB Assembly Speaker, is leading as an independent candidate amid shifting political alignments, maintaining influence at the grassroots level despite the absence of a traditional party ticket.
Tribal and Nationalist Strongholds
– GBA-20 (Ghizer-II): Known for its independent-minded electorate, this seat is dominated by Nawaz Khan Naji of the Balawaristan National Front (BNF-Naji), who commands significant influence in the Ghizer valley based on local issues and community support.
– Diamer & Astore (GBA-13 to GBA-18): These constituencies are primarily shaped by tribal councils (Jirgas) and local alliances, with voting patterns heavily influenced by the outgoing political figures such as Haji Gulbar Khan. Traditional vote banks, including supporters of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), also play a key role.
– GBA-22 to GBA-24 (Ganche): These constituencies are centered around the Noorbakhshia community, where political campaigns depend heavily on endorsements from local religious and social organizations, making mainstream party success challenging without community backing.
