Gilgit: Political tensions rose in Gilgit-Baltistan after major political parties voiced concerns over the conduct of the regional elections, with allegations of delays in result announcements, issues surrounding election documentation, and fears of interference in the electoral process.
According to Beyond Time News, unofficial results from most constituencies indicate that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the leading political force, while opposition parties continue to question the transparency and fairness of the election process.
PPP Leads in Unofficial Results
As vote counting progressed across Gilgit-Baltistan, unofficial results from 18 of the 24 constituencies showed the PPP securing a clear lead with nine seats. Independent candidates followed with six victories, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won two seats and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) secured one.
Election officials continued counting votes in the remaining constituencies, with final results yet to be officially announced.
In response to growing concerns, the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan instructed all returning officers to provide certified Form-45 documents to candidates and polling agents in accordance with election regulations. Authorities stated that the forms were being issued at polling stations where counting had been completed.
Political Parties Raise Concerns Over Electoral Process
Despite the ongoing counting process, several political parties expressed reservations about the election’s transparency.
PPP Secretary General Nayar Bukhari alleged that attempts were being made to undermine the party’s electoral gains. He claimed that delays in announcing results from several constituencies were creating unnecessary controversy around the party’s performance.
Bukhari warned that the PPP would consider launching protests if any effort was made to alter the public mandate and urged election authorities to release all pending results without delay.
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira also stressed the importance of transparency and accuracy in the electoral process. He said election results should faithfully reflect the will of voters and advised party workers to remain peaceful while ensuring they received all required election documents.
PTI Questions Campaign Restrictions
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also raised concerns regarding the overall conduct of the elections.
Speaking on television, he claimed that PTI faced restrictions during the election campaign and alleged that senior party leaders were prevented from fully participating in political activities ahead of polling day.
Gohar argued that democratic principles require all political parties to have equal opportunities to campaign and present their agenda to voters. He emphasized that political rights must be protected and that election procedures should remain transparent and impartial.
The PTI chairman further maintained that whichever party receives the support of the electorate should be allowed to govern without interference.
JUI-F Expresses Reservations
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) also voiced concerns over the election process.
Senior party leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said delays in announcing results had raised questions about the credibility of the polls. He stated that concerns surrounding Form-45 documentation had fueled uncertainty among candidates and supporters.
Haideri warned that any attempt to alter election outcomes would be unacceptable and called for complete transparency to maintain public confidence in democratic institutions.
Bilawal Bhutto Optimistic About PPP’s Performance
Reacting to the unofficial results, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed satisfaction with his party’s performance in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Referring to the PPP’s election symbol, he remarked that the “arrow” was gaining strong support across the region. Bilawal said the party was on track to become the largest political force in the assembly and would work toward forming the next government.
He also thanked voters for placing their trust in the PPP and participating in the democratic process.
Read more:GBA-2 Election 2026: Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman Leads in Early Unofficial Results from Gilgit-II
Notable Winners Across Gilgit-Baltistan
Unofficial results indicated victories for several prominent candidates across the region.
PPP candidate Amjad Hussain secured victory in GBA-1, while independent candidate Syed Sohail Abbas won in GBA-3 Gilgit.
PPP candidates Muhammad Ali Akhtar and Zulfiqar Ali Murad were successful in GBA-4 and GBA-5 Nagar, respectively. Independent candidate Nek Nam Karim emerged victorious in GBA-6 Hunza.
Further successes for the PPP came in Skardu and other constituencies, where candidates Syed Tauqeer Mehdi, Fida Muhammad Nashad, Nasir Ali Khan, Iqbal Hassan, Imran Nadeem and Syed Jalal Shah secured victories.
Independent candidates also performed strongly, winning several constituencies across the region, while PML-N candidate Ibrahim Sanai claimed victory in GBA-22 Ghanche.
High Voter Participation and Competitive Political Contest
The elections attracted significant participation from both voters and political parties.
A total of 403 candidates contested the elections, including 396 men and eight women. Gilgit-Baltistan had 963,034 registered voters, comprising more than 566,000 male voters and nearly 397,000 female voters.
The PPP fielded candidates in 23 constituencies, the highest among all parties. PML-N followed closely with 22 candidates, while 19 independent candidates were backed by PTI.
Other parties participating in the election included the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP), JUI-F, Islami Tehreek Pakistan (ITP), MWM, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and the Awami Workers Party (AWP).
Extensive Security Measures Implemented
Authorities deployed large-scale security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Election Commission established 1,391 polling stations across the region. Of these, hundreds were designated as sensitive or highly sensitive due to security considerations.
Security duties were carried out by local police, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and additional personnel from Punjab and Sindh police forces.
Gilgit-Baltistan Inspector General of Police Nasir Akbar Khan stated that more than 17,500 security personnel were deployed during the election process. Additional forces were stationed at sensitive polling locations, while law enforcement agencies remained on high alert throughout polling and vote counting operations.
Democratic Credibility Remains Under Spotlight
While unofficial results suggest that the PPP has emerged as the strongest political party in Gilgit-Baltistan, concerns raised by multiple political stakeholders have placed the electoral process under increased scrutiny.
As the Election Commission finalizes the remaining results, political parties and voters alike will be closely watching developments to ensure that the final outcome accurately reflects the public mandate. The coming days are expected to play a crucial role in determining both the composition of the next regional government and public confidence in the electoral system.
FAQs
Who is leading in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections?
According to unofficial results from 18 constituencies, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is leading with nine seats.
Why are political parties raising concerns about the elections?
Several parties, including PPP, PTI, and JUI-F, have alleged delays in result announcements and raised concerns regarding the issuance of Form-45 documents.
What is Form-45 in Pakistan’s electoral process?
Form-45 is an official result document issued at polling stations that records vote counts and helps ensure transparency in election results.
How many candidates contested the Gilgit-Baltistan elections?
A total of 403 candidates participated in the elections, including representatives from major political parties and independent candidates.
What security arrangements were made for the elections?
More than 17,500 security personnel were deployed, with additional forces stationed at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations across Gilgit-Baltistan.
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