GB to vote today in delayed assembly elections

GILGIT: Voters in Gilgit-Baltistan are set to elect members of the legislative assembly on Sunday in polls that were postponed by four months because of severe winter conditions.

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission, voting will take place in 24 constituencies from 8am to 5pm. The commission said 958,480 voters are registered across the region, including 503,772 men and 454,708 women.

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

Among political parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has fielded 23 candidates and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) 22, with each party nominating one woman candidate. The Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party has 15 candidates in the race, while Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has fielded 10. Another 10 candidates are contesting on Pakistan Nazaryati Party tickets, nine belong to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, seven to Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, and six each to Jamaat-i-Islami and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

In addition, four candidates are representing the Awami Workers Party. One candidate each from the Awami National Party, Sunni Ittehad Council and Pakistan Muslim League-Q is also contesting.

Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has issued a notification granting first-class magistrate powers to all district returning officers and returning officers for the conduct of the election. According to the notification, he said election laws, the code of conduct and transparency in the process would be enforced to ensure free, fair and impartial polls and maintain public confidence.

In a statement, Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ghulam Abbas urged residents to take part in the election and cast their votes. He said voting was every citizen’s voice, a foundation of the democratic system and a national responsibility.

Abbas said elections were an important part of a democratic society and that public participation was essential for strengthening democratic traditions. He said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had shown maturity and responsibility in national matters in the past and expressed hope that they would come out in large numbers on polling day.

The caretaker minister said every vote was important for the development, prosperity and future of the region. He urged voters to make their choice freely, without pressure, fear or prejudice.

He added that all relevant institutions were carrying out their responsibilities to ensure peaceful, transparent and fair elections. Abbas also asked the public to follow the election code of conduct, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and play a constructive role in making the democratic process successful.

He said a strong, stable and developed Gilgit-Baltistan required every eligible voter to exercise the right to vote and help reinforce the democratic process.