Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections: Polling Gets Underway

7 June 2026, Sunday, Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly started polling for elections on 24 seats, and without any interruption will continue until 5pm. In the election total candidates are 403 contesting, over 958,000 registered voters are qualified to cast their votes.

The contest between PML-N and PPP, with both parties engaged in active campaigning and offering promises of regional development. For smooth and peaceful polling, authorities have deployed around 17,500 police personnel have been placed across Gilgit-Baltistan. A total of 830 polling stations out of 1,368 have been declared highly sensitive.

As per election officials reports, there are 396 active candidates in the election with 266 independents and seven women among them. Early hours saw slight delays at some polling stations, and voter participation was low. However, officials expect more people to vote later in the day.

To oversee the voting process, the Election Commission set a proper control room, whereas voter strictly forbit to carry mobile phone, cameras or other electronic devices inside polling stations.

For better infrastructure and development projects in the region promised by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif campaigned. Meanwhile PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged voters to support his party, promising governance rights, employment opportunities, land ownership rights, and efforts to make Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan’s fifth province.