Polling in elections for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly gets underway

Polling is going on for election at Gilgit Baltistan Assembly. People are voting for 24 seats of the assembly will remain to continue by 5pm. More than 17,500 police official have been deployed to ensure that the voting process remain peaceful. voting: There are over 950,000 registered voters and a huge number of voters are expected to take part in the electoral process: Election Commission has issued strict code of conduct for voters.: Chief Election Commissioners has visited the polling stations.
On Sunday, Polling has begun across Gilgit-Baltistan for elections for 24 seats in the regional assembly, with voting is scheduled to be continued by without interruption until 5 pm.
A tight contest in election is expected at Gilgit-Baltistan, between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as the principal rivals in a campaign marked by high-profile visits and competing promises for the region’s future.
403, a total strength of candidates that are participating in the election, while 958,480 registered voters are eligible to exercise their right to vote. Official figures show that the electorate includes 503,772 male voters and more than 455,000 female voters.
Massive security measures have been put in place to ensure the peaceful organization of the elections.
Approx 17,500 police officials have been deployed throughout the region, while 830 of the 1,368 polling stations have been declared extremely susceptible by the authorities.
According to election officials, 396 candidates are actively participating in the contest, including 266 independent candidates. Seven women candidates are also in the running for assembly seats.
Updates received from several polling stations that there are delays in start of voting process during the early hours of the day.
Voter turnout rported relatively low in the morning, however it is expected that participation would likely be increased as the day progress.
According to few reports, a larger number of voters is expected to visit polling stations post afternoon hours.
A control room has also been setup by election commission of Pakistan to monitor the electoral process and address any issues that may arise during voting.
The Election Commission has also released a tight code of conduct for voters, under which individuals are banned from carrying mobile phones, cameras or other electronic devices into polling stations.
PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan to campaign for the party’s candidates, emphasizing the importance his party attaches to the polls. During public meetings, he assured voters that a future PML-N administration would focus on improving infrastructure across the region, including roads, public facilities and development projects aimed at supporting economic growth.
–Bilawal’s special message to voters–
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari headed an massive election drive combined with First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. The party has pursued to rally support by promising measures aimed at addressing long-standing demands of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In a special polling day message to voters, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pressed residents to come out in large numbers and support PPP candidates by casting their votes for the party’s arrow symbol. He said a PPP victory would help secure what he described as the rights of governance, employment and ownership for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Bilawal also undertook that his party would work to extend the benefits and guards associated with Pakistan’s Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment to Gilgit-Baltistan. He further said that the PPP would pursue the establishing of Gilgit-Baltistan as Pakistan’s fifth province.
The PPP has additionally undertaken to grant legal ownership privileges to occupants of the region if it succeeds in establishing the administration, presenting the proposal as a key element of its election program.
Chief Election Commissioner visits polling stations
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan has also visited various polling stations and shown his satisfaction over polling process and overall arrangements.
Provincial Election Commissioner Abid Raza was also accompanied the Chief Election Commissioner.
Chief Election Commissioner visited Jutial Elementary College and Khomer City Park polling stations.
Talking to medial Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said that he has visited various polling stations and polling started on time at all polling stations in the morning.
Currently, there was a rush at all polling stations, especially women’s polling stations, he said.
He said he is happy that the people have come out to cast their votes in such large numbers.
The people of Gilgit should use their votes for peace and development, Chief Election Commissioner said.