PTI, PPP Question Transparency in Gilgit-Baltistan Polls

On Monday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) questioned the transparency of the Gilgit-Baltistan election process. They raised concerns over delayed results issues with Form-45 issuance, and alleged attempts to manipulate outcomes as unofficial results were still being received.

Gilgit-Baltistan’s Election Commission ordered returning officers to provide certified Form-45s and confirm loyalty to all voting rules. According to officials, Form-45s were being issued at polling stations where counting had ended while counting was still underway in other areas.

Unofficial results shown PP was on top with nine seats from 18 out of 24 constituencies. Six seats went to independent candidates, with PML-N winning two and MWM one. The counting process was still ongoing in the remaining areas.

As per PPP leader claimed that result manipulation and delays in an attempt to change the public mandate. The leaders warned of protests if these attempts persevered and called for all remaining results to be released without delay.

Leader from PTI also worried about that they were not given a fair chance to campaign and that their leaders were restricted from holding rallies. They further alleged that candidates were facing problems in receiving official election papers. JUI-F leaders show same concerns said that delays and indiscretions had formed uncertainties about the reliability of the election process.

Even with these issues, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party in Gilgit-Baltistan was evolving as the highest political force and thanked the public for their support.

On Sunday, elections were held under strict security across all constituencies, involving thousands of police and other forces to ensure peaceful voting.