PPP Secures 11 Seats as GB Election Chief Resolves Petitions

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan announced decisions on three pending election petitions on Wednesday, resulting in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing 11 seats in the assembly.

The election chief declared PPP candidate Attaullah as the winner from GBA-16 Diamer-II. Additionally, PML-N candidate Malik Kefayat was declared victorious from GBA-17, and another PML-N candidate secured the seat from GBA-13 Astore-I. These decisions followed petitions filed by rival candidates with the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission, challenging the previously announced Form-47 results. The CEC had suspended the results and reserved verdicts after hearing arguments from both sides.

With these announcements, the PPP now holds 11 seats. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured six seats, while independent candidates, who later joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), have won four seats. PTI-backed candidates secured two seats, and the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen won one seat. The CEC stated that notifications for all successful candidates would be issued. He also indicated that six reserved seats for women and three technocrat seats would be distributed among parties proportionally after the official notifications.

Supporters of independent candidate Imam Malik in GBA-16 had previously protested by blocking the Karakoram Highway at Chilas, demanding re-polling at specific stations. The Gilgit-Baltistan CEC had initially ordered re-polling at three stations in GBA-16 but later rescinded this decision. Results for GBA-13 Astore-I and GBA-16 Diamer-II had also been deferred until June 17.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, held on June 7, saw a voter turnout of 70 percent, which the CEC had previously highlighted as a reflection of public confidence in the democratic process.

However, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), which observed the elections, has voiced serious concern. In a statement issued on Monday, the HRCP noted its apprehension over the Election Commission's decision to suspend re-polling in five constituencies shortly after ordering it, and to proceed with the announcement of final results. The commission stated that such abrupt changes risk reinforcing perceptions of political interference and undermining public confidence in the electoral process and its administration. Some opposition parties and candidates had previously alleged that recounting and related measures could be used to influence electoral outcomes.

According to Dawn Pakistan, the HRCP had withheld its assessment pending recounting processes and final consolidation of results.