G.BALTISTAN: Polling in Gilgit-Baltistan wrapped up smoothly, with no reports of disturbances, as security remained tight throughout the process. Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has empowered all District Returning Officers and Returning Officers with first-class magistrate authority to ensure a peaceful and transparent election.
The voting process in Gilgit-Baltistan started at 8 am and continued uninterrupted until 5 pm. The Election Commission’s final voter list indicates a total of 963,034 registered voters across the region’s 10 districts, comprising 566,097 men and 456,937 women.
A total of 396 candidates are contesting for the 24 general seats in the Gilgit Assembly, including 266 independents. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is composed of 33 seats: 24 elected directly, 6 reserved for women, and 3 for technocrats.
Earlier, Ghulam Abbas, the Caretaker Information Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, urged citizens to participate actively in voting, highlighting that comprehensive security arrangements—including deployment of police, rangers, GB Scouts, and Pakistan Army personnel had been made to facilitate free and fair elections.
In his address, Abbas emphasized the large turnout and the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the election, encouraging people to exercise their right to vote. He expressed hope for continued progress and development for Gilgit-Baltistan’s future.
