Gilgit: Vote counting is underway across Gilgit-Baltistan after polling for elections on 24 constituencies concluded peacefully on Sunday, with voters casting ballots from 8am to 5pm without major disruptions.
The election saw participation from nearly 959,000 registered voters, who voted to elect representatives from a field of 396 candidates. The contest is being closely watched, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and several other political parties competing for seats in the regional assembly.
According to election officials, a total of 958,780 voters were eligible to vote, including 503,772 men and more than 455,000 women. Among the candidates in the race, 266 contested as independents, while seven women candidates also participated in the elections.
The PPP fielded 23 candidates, while the PML-N contested 22 seats. Other parties in the race included Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Islami Tehreek Pakistan, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and Pakistan Nazriyati Party.
Security measures remain in place
Authorities deployed approximately 17,500 police personnel across the region to ensure peaceful polling. The Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies remained on standby throughout the day to respond to any emergency situation.
The Election Commission had categorized hundreds of polling stations as sensitive and highly sensitive, with enhanced security arrangements put in place. A total of 1,391 polling stations were established across Gilgit-Baltistan, including 488 normal, 349 sensitive, and 551 highly sensitive polling stations.
Diamer recorded the highest number of highly sensitive polling stations, followed by Gilgit district.
Voter turnout and polling arrangements
Election materials, including ballot papers and ballot boxes, were delivered to polling stations ahead of voting day. To facilitate voters, authorities established 2,447 polling booths across the region.
Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said voter participation remained encouraging throughout the day. Speaking to a news channel, he said women voters actively participated in the electoral process and security arrangements at polling stations were satisfactory.
He said polling was conducted in an orderly environment, with political parties taking part peacefully and voters exercising their democratic right across Gilgit-Baltistan.
With polling now complete, election officials have begun counting votes, and results are expected to emerge as the process continues across all constituencies.
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