Gilgit-Baltistan heads to polls amid tight political contest
A total of 396 candidates are contesting 24 directly elected seats in the Legislative Assembly, with 266 running as independents and 130 representing various national, regional, and religiously affiliated political parties, based on figures released by the regional election commission.
The assembly comprises 33 seats in total, including nine reserved positions for women and technocrats, which are allocated through proportional representation.
Polling stations are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) and close at 5 p.m. (1200 GMT). Nearly 963,034 registered voters are eligible to participate.
The election is expected to be closely contested between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Peoples Party associated with the Bhutto family legacy, and independent candidates supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to reports, PTI has not been allocated its official election symbol for these polls, similar to the situation during the 2024 general elections, and has accused the authorities of failing to ensure a “level playing field.” The government has rejected those claims.
Security has been significantly tightened, with thousands of police officers and paramilitary personnel deployed across the mountainous region, which shares a border with China.
While female representation among candidates remains limited, more than 450,000 women are registered to vote and are expected to play a decisive role in several closely contested constituencies.
Historically, the party in power in Islamabad has tended to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region formerly known as the Northern Areas and part of the broader historical territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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