GILGIT: The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan has reserved its final verdicts on objections filed in 12 constituencies following the general elections, Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan announced at a press conference in Gilgit on Monday.
Khan said that 14 election petitions had been heard since June 10, with decisions already issued in multiple constituencies. He defended the conduct of the polls, describing them as fully transparent and in compliance with all legal requirements, and dismissed concerns raised by some social media platforms and national media outlets as baseless.
“Under the Election Act, results must be announced within 14 days,” he said. “Any delay was solely due to the petitions filed.”
PPP and PML-N Victories Upheld
The Election Commission rejected objections in GBA-10 Skardu-4, GBA-5 Nagar-1, GBA-17 Diamer-3, and GBA-19 Ghizer-1, upholding the victories of Pakistan Peoples Party candidates in all four seats. Wins by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidates in GBA-14 Astore-2, GBA-18 Diamer-4, and GBA-20 Ghizer-2 were similarly confirmed.
The victories of independent candidates in GBA-3 Gilgit-3 and GBA-15 Diamer-1 were also maintained, as was the win of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen candidate in GBA-8 Skardu-2.
KKH Blocked After Re-Polling Plea Rejected in GBA-16
The most contentious development came in GBA-16 Diamer-2, where independent candidate Imam Malik had filed a request for re-polling. The Election Commission rejected the application, ordering instead that postal ballot papers be counted.
The decision comes amid a razor-thin margin: Imam Malik leads the second-placed PPP candidate Ataullah by just 24 votes. Following the ruling, Malik’s supporters staged a protest and blocked the Karakoram Highway at Zero Point in Chilas.
The Election Commission also rejected objections in GBA-13 Astore-1, with final results for both that constituency and GBA-16 Diamer-2 expected to be announced on June 17.
Form-49 Results and Local Government Elections
Khan said that Form-49 results from 16 of the 24 constituencies had been received, with the remaining eight still awaited. Overall voter turnout stood at approximately 70 percent.
The Chief Election Commissioner also announced a revised schedule for local government elections, with polling now set for September 27. Monday, June 15 was the last day for submission of nomination papers. In light of the month of Muharram, the scrutiny process has been extended until August 10. Local government elections will be held on a party basis.