Gilgit-Baltistan votes in legislative assembly elections on Sunday; 24 constituencies up for grabs

GILGIT: Voters across Gilgit-Baltistan are set to elect members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on Sunday after elections were postponed by four months due to severe winter conditions in the region.

The Election Commission has completed all arrangements for polling in 24 constituencies. A total of 958,480 voters are registered, including 503,772 men and 454,708 women, with polling scheduled from 8am to 5pm.

A total of 396 candidates are contesting the elections, including 266 independents. Only eight women are in the race, five of whom are running as independent candidates.

Among political parties, the PPP has fielded 23 candidates, followed by the PML-N with 22. The Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party has nominated 15 candidates, while PTI is contesting with 10 candidates. Several other parties, including JUI-F, MWM, JI, MQM and AWP, are also participating.

GB Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has delegated first-class magistrate powers to district returning officers and returning officers to help ensure peaceful, transparent and lawful elections. He emphasised strict implementation of election laws and the code of conduct.

Caretaker Information Minister Ghulam Abbas urged citizens to actively participate in the voting process, describing the vote as a democratic right and national responsibility. He expressed confidence that voters would turn out in large numbers and said all institutions were working to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.