GILGIT (MNN): The political and legal uncertainty surrounding the Gilgit-Baltistan elections deepened on Friday after Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court suspended election results in three constituencies, while the consolidated result of another constituency, GBA-16, remained pending despite directions from the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
The election process, delayed since June 7, has slowed the formation of a new government in the region.
The court heard several election-related petitions involving PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad from GBA-9 (Skardu), PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem from GBA-17 (Diamer-III), and independent candidate Dilpazeer Khan from GBA-15 (Diamer-I), who later joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).
Nashad had initially been disqualified by the Returning Officer for failing to disclose assets in his nomination papers. Although an election tribunal upheld the disqualification, the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court later allowed him to contest the election. Following a recount, he was declared successful and Forms 48 and 49 were issued. However, the Supreme Appellate Court upheld his disqualification on Friday and suspended the constituency’s election result.
In a separate case, the court also suspended the result of Mohammad Naseem from GBA-17. Although the Chief Election Commissioner had ruled in his favour and election forms had already been issued, the decision was challenged before the court.
Similarly, the result of Dilpazeer Khan from GBA-15 was suspended after a petition challenged the Election Commission’s decision declaring him the winner without conducting a re-poll.
The court directed authorities to keep the results of all three constituencies suspended until final decisions are made in the pending cases.
Meanwhile, the consolidated result of GBA-16 (Diamer-II) could not be finalised despite instructions from the Chief Election Commissioner to count postal ballots and complete the required election forms within a day.
Supporters of independent candidates gathered outside the Returning Officer’s office to oppose the counting process. The dispute stems from competing claims regarding postal ballots and demands for re-polling at certain polling stations.
PPP candidate Attaullah Khan has insisted that official records and postal ballot counts favour him, while supporters of independent candidate Imam Malik continue to demand re-polling.
Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said he had already disposed of the petition and ordered consolidation of the results, adding that counting postal ballots and preparing Forms 48 and 49 remained the responsibility of the Returning Officer.
He further stated that winning candidates must be officially notified within 15 days of polling, although final notifications depend on the issuance of Form 49.
In another significant development, PTI-backed independent member-elect from Hunza, Naiknam Karim, joined the PPP, with the Election Commission formally confirming his affiliation.
With 12 seats in the 24-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, the PPP has emerged as the largest party and is expected to gain a stronger position when reserved seats for women and technocrats are allocated according to party strength.
