Gilgit-Baltistan election commission suspends result tally, orders repolling at 26 stations

The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan has suspended the consolidation of election results and ordered repolling at 26 polling stations across five constituencies, following complaints of irregularities and demands for recounts.

In a formal notification, the commission said results from the affected seats would be withheld pending further examination of allegations raised by candidates.

Fresh polling is scheduled for June 15 before any final outcome can be declared.

Why has the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission ordered repolling?

The ECGB ordered repolling after finding that allegations of electoral malpractice and violations of election law in five constituencies required further examination.

Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan declared polling at 26 stations void and directed that fresh voting be held on June 15. Constituency-wide results cannot be finalized until the repolling is completed and incorporated into the overall tally.

The affected constituencies are GBA-8 Skardu, GBA-13 Astore, and three Diamer seats: GBA-15, GBA-16 and GBA-17. Repolling will take place at 10 stations in GBA-8 Skardu, one in GBA-13 Astore, one in GBA-15 Diamer, three in GBA-16 Diamer, and 11 in GBA-17 Diamer. ECGB Media Coordinator Bahadur Jameel confirmed the breakdown to Nukta.

What are the current Gilgit-Baltistan election results?

Despite the suspension of the full tally, preliminary and unofficial results show the Pakistan Peoples Party leading with nine seats. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and independent candidates have each secured five seats. The overall picture remains incomplete pending results from the five constituencies where repolling has been ordered.

According to available tallies, PPP candidates won in GBA-1, GBA-4, GBA-6, GBA-7, GBA-9, GBA-10, GBA-11, GBA-12 and GBA-19. PML-N secured victories in GBA-2, GBA-14, GBA-18, GBA-20 and GBA-22, while independents won in GBA-3, GBA-5, GBA-21, GBA-23 and GBA-24. Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said he was satisfied with the overall conduct of the June 7 polls, describing voting as largely peaceful with turnout estimated at around 70%.

How have political parties responded to the Gilgit-Baltistan election results?

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party was emerging as the largest political force in the region following the June 7 polls. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the PPP on its performance and praised the Election Commission and security agencies for ensuring an orderly process. Both leaders pointed to the high turnout as a positive sign for the democratic process in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman took a sharply different position, rejecting the election results outright and alleging irregularities. He said early reports indicated rigging and that "on this basis, the party rejects the outcome of the elections in GB." The JUI-F chief said the party would not engage in a detailed analysis of individual results.

Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen also alleged widespread electoral manipulation, citing delays in result announcements and what he described as selective dissemination of outcomes. He said the approach raised serious concerns over transparency in the electoral process.