GILGIT: Polling began across Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday for elections to 24 seats of the regional assembly, with more than 400 candidates contesting and extensive security measures in place to ensure a peaceful voting process.
According to the Election Commission, voting started at 8:00am and will continue until 5:00pm without interruption. A total of 958,480 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots.
Election authorities established 1,391 polling stations across the region, including 488 classified as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive.
Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz visited several polling stations to monitor the voting process and review arrangements. Speaking to reporters, he said polling had commenced on schedule throughout Gilgit-Baltistan and was proceeding smoothly. He added that voter turnout appeared encouraging, with citizens participating actively in the electoral process.
Among the districts, Diamer recorded the highest number of highly sensitive polling stations, with 119 out of a total of 174. Gilgit district has 154 highly sensitive polling stations, while Skardu has 69 and Ghizer 69.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has fielded the largest number of candidates, with 23 contestants, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 22 candidates. Nineteen independent candidates are backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Other parties in the race include the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Islami Tehreek Pakistan (ITP), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and the Awami Workers Party (AWP).
Authorities said comprehensive security arrangements had been implemented across the region. Personnel from Gilgit-Baltistan Police, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and contingents from Punjab and Sindh police have been deployed at polling stations and other key locations.
Gilgit-Baltistan Inspector General of Police Nasir Akbar Khan said more than 17,500 security personnel had been deployed for election duty. Additional forces have been assigned to sensitive polling stations, while law enforcement agencies remain on high alert throughout the voting process.
Election officials expressed confidence that polling would continue in a peaceful and transparent manner until voting concludes later in the day.