Parties Raise Concerns Over Form-45 and Result Delays
The Gilgit-Baltistan elections have come under political pressure after PTI, PPP and JUI-F raised serious concerns over the transparency of the electoral process. The parties alleged delays in the announcement of results, irregularities in the issuance of Form-45 and possible attempts to change the public mandate.
The controversy emerged as unofficial results from several constituencies started coming in. The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan directed all returning officers in the 24 constituencies to issue certified Form-45s and ensure full compliance with election rules. The chief election commissioner said Form-45s were being issued at all polling stations where vote counting had been completed.
According to unofficial and non-final results from 18 of the 24 constituencies, the Pakistan Peoples Party emerged as the leading party with nine seats. Independent candidates won six seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz secured two seats, while Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen won one seat. Counting continued in the remaining constituencies.
The PPP, despite leading in the unofficial count, also raised concerns. PPP Central Secretary General Nayar Bukhari alleged that a systematic conspiracy was being made to steal the public mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan. He claimed that results were being delayed in several constituencies where the party believed it had secured victories.
Bukhari specifically mentioned GBA-16 and GBA-17, saying results had been withheld despite PPP’s claimed success. He warned that the party would launch protests if any attempt was made to change the outcome. He also demanded the immediate announcement of all pending results.
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said he had spoken to the election commissioner about the issuance of Form-45. He said the results given by voters must be reflected accurately. Kaira also urged PPP workers to remain peaceful and not leave polling stations without receiving Form-45.
PTI and JUI-F Question Election Credibility
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also questioned the fairness of the elections. He said PTI had not been allowed to freely run its campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan. According to him, senior PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja, were stopped from taking part in election activities.
Speaking on a television programme, Gohar said the Constitution allowed political parties to campaign freely during elections. He argued that restrictions on PTI leaders damaged the credibility of the electoral process. He also pointed out that even PPP leaders were complaining about problems in the election process.
Gohar said candidates were not receiving Form-45s in some areas. He added that PTI wanted citizens to receive their democratic rights and wanted democracy to become stronger. He said his party had continued to seek legal remedies through courts despite not getting relief.
The PTI chairman said whichever party receives the public vote should have the right to form the government. He stressed that political rights must be protected and elections should be conducted transparently.
JUI-F leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri also expressed reservations over the results. He said delays in the announcement of results had created doubts about the credibility of the polls. He added that concerns regarding Form-45 had raised serious questions about transparency.
Haideri alleged that efforts were made to turn a JUI-F candidate’s victory in Darel into a defeat. He warned that any attempt to alter the public mandate would be unacceptable. According to him, public confidence cannot be restored without transparent elections.
PPP Claims Momentum as Unofficial Results Come In
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reacted to the unofficial results by saying that the party’s election symbol was “raining” in Gilgit-Baltistan. He said PPP was emerging as the largest party in the region and would make efforts to form the government.
Bilawal also thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for their support and trust. His statement came as PPP candidates appeared to be leading in several key constituencies.
Unofficial results showed PPP’s Amjad Hussain winning GBA-1. Independent candidate Syed Sohail Abbas secured victory in GBA-3 Gilgit. PPP candidates Muhammad Ali Akhtar and Zulfiqar Ali Murad won GBA-4 and GBA-5 Nagar respectively.
Independent candidate Nek Nam Karim won GBA-6 Hunza. PPP’s Syed Tauqeer Mehdi won GBA-7 Skardu, while MWM’s Muhammad Kazim secured GBA-8. PPP candidates Fida Muhammad Nashad, Nasir Ali Khan, Iqbal Hassan, Imran Nadeem and Syed Jalal Shah won GBA-9, GBA-10, GBA-11, GBA-12 and GBA-19 respectively.
Independent candidates Syed Imam Malik, Aman Ali, Anwar Ali and Asad Shafiq won GBA-16, GBA-21, GBA-23 and GBA-24. PML-N’s Ibrahim Sanai secured victory in GBA-22 Ghanche.
Polling began at 8am and continued until 5pm without any break on Sunday. A total of 403 candidates contested the elections. These included 396 men and eight women. The total number of registered voters in Gilgit-Baltistan was 963,034, including 566,097 male voters and 396,937 female voters.
The Election Commission established 1,391 polling stations across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Of these, 488 were declared normal, 349 sensitive and 551 highly sensitive. The high number of sensitive polling stations reflected the security challenges surrounding the election process.
The PPP fielded 23 candidates, the highest number among major parties. PML-N fielded 22 candidates, while 19 independent candidates were backed by PTI. IPP fielded 15 candidates, PNP 11, while JUI-F and Islami Tehreek Pakistan each fielded nine candidates.
MWM nominated seven candidates, while Jamaat-e-Islami and MQM-P each fielded six candidates. The Awami Workers Party fielded four candidates.
Authorities said strong security arrangements were made for polling day. Local police, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and contingents from Punjab and Sindh police were deployed across the region. Additional personnel were posted at sensitive locations.
GB Inspector General of Police Nasir Akbar Khan said more than 17,500 personnel were deployed for election security. Police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies remained on alert throughout the process.
Despite these arrangements, the political controversy over Form-45, delayed results and campaign restrictions has now overshadowed the unofficial outcome. The final official results will be crucial in determining whether political parties accept the election process or intensify their protests.
