Preliminary results from 24 directly elected seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly show the PPP is ahead with 10 seats in various constituencies.
Voting for the 24 general seats ended Sunday evening. Security was tight across the region. PML-N follows with six seats. Independent candidates won seven seats, including two backed by PTI. MWM secured one seat.
The GB Assembly has 33 total seats, 24 generals, six reserved for women, and three for technocrats/professionals. Parties fill reserved seats later through proportional representation. Elections were delayed four months due to winter weather, and a total of 396 candidates ran for the elections contest, including 266 independents. Only 8 women contested, five as independents.
PPP leaders complained about the late issuance of Form-45, which is the polling station result sheet. They also alleged polling station relocation and voter list changes in Astore-II, claiming it targeted PPP voters.
PPP said residents protested by blocking the Gilgit-Skardu Road. PTI also raised concerns about the election results. It claimed early leads for its candidates, then reported sudden high turnout numbers and ballot boxes with 700-800 votes at some stations, they alleged.
PTI said its polling agents did not get Form-46 and accused other parties of fake ballots in areas like Nagar. The party demanded the immediate release of the original Form-45/46 and an inquiry.GB Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said security arrangements were satisfactory and women turnout was strong.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig said minor issues were being fixed quickly. These are unofficial results, and final results will come after Form-45/46 verification by ECP.
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