GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz announced on Tuesday that final election results for several constituencies would remain on hold until partial re-polling takes place next week.
The decision followed concerns raised by multiple political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F). The parties alleged delays in result announcements, irregularities in Form-45 issuance and attempts to influence election outcomes.
In response, election authorities ordered re-polling at selected polling stations in five constituencies instead of cancelling results for entire seats. The affected constituencies include GBA-8, GBA-13 Astore, GBA-15 Diamer-I, GBA-16 Diamer-II and GBA-17 Diamer-III.
Speaking to media, Shahbaz confirmed that re-polling would be held on June 15. He said final results for all constituencies would remain suspended until the process is completed.
According to the Election Commission, voting will be repeated in 10 polling stations in GBA-8, one in GBA-13 Astore, one in GBA-15 Diamer-I, three in GBA-16 Diamer-II and 11 in GBA-17 Diamer-III.
Shahbaz also stated that Form-47s had been prepared for all constituencies. However, their official release would only occur after the re-polling exercise concludes.
Meanwhile, preliminary and unofficial results show the Pakistan Peoples Party emerging as the single largest party in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The party secured 10 of the 24 seats according to unofficial counts.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won four seats, while independent candidates secured seven constituencies. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen captured one seat.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the party’s performance. Both leaders agreed that the largest party should be given the opportunity to form the government.
Sources indicated that coalition talks between the PPP and PML-N are likely, as no party has secured a simple majority in the assembly.
