GILGIT (MNN); Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has said that the final notification of the region’s election results will be issued within 14 days in accordance with the law, despite delays caused by the collection and consolidation of results from remote areas.
According to a statement issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission, the electoral process concluded peacefully and efforts are underway to complete the final results. The CEC said that while compiling results from distant constituencies is taking time, the process is progressing under Section 98 of the Election Act.
The commission is currently hearing nine election-related petitions. Three petitions have already been heard, while the remaining cases are scheduled for hearing shortly. Officials expect the process to be completed soon.
Form-49, containing the official final results, has been issued for constituencies GBA-6 Hunza, GBA-11 Kharmang, GBA-23 Ghanche-II and GBA-24 Ghanche-III. Re-polling has been ordered in five constituencies, while result compilation continues in the remaining seats.
Meanwhile, efforts by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reach an agreement on the formation of the next Gilgit-Baltistan government have so far remained inconclusive.
According to unofficial results (Form-47) from the June 7 elections, the PPP emerged as the largest party with 11 seats in the 24-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The PML-N secured six seats, PTI-backed candidates won two seats, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) captured one seat, while independent candidates secured four seats.
Senior leaders of both PPP and PML-N met in Gilgit to discuss possible arrangements for government formation. The PPP described the discussions as a significant step forward and said the proposals would now be presented to the central leadership of both parties. The talks also covered broader political cooperation and national issues.
PPP leaders maintained that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had given their party a clear mandate by making it the largest political force in the assembly. They stated that decisions regarding government formation would be guided by democratic principles, political consultation and public interest.
The PML-N, in its separate statement, confirmed that several proposals were discussed and that consultations would continue before any final decision is taken by the central leadership.
The Election Commission has also ordered a recount of votes in constituency GBA-09 Skardu-III after allegations of electoral irregularities and corrupt practices. The recount will be conducted in the presence of candidates and their authorised representatives to ensure transparency and accuracy.
In GBA-8 Skardu-II, the commission withdrew its earlier re-polling order for 10 polling stations, after which MWM candidate Kazim Mesum was officially declared the winner through Form-49.
Meanwhile, supporters of PPP candidate Attaullah in GBA-16 Diamer-II continued their protest for a fourth consecutive day outside the District Returning Officer’s office in Chilas. Demonstrators blocked the Karakoram Highway, demanding immediate counting of postal ballots, issuance of final results and cancellation of the re-polling decision at three polling stations. Protesters vowed to continue the blockade until official results are announced.
