All eyes on the ballot in the peaks as G-B goes to vote today

Following a hiatus of six years, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) are set to cast their votes on June 7 as elections for the G-B Assembly enter their final phase. The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan has finalised preparations across all 24 constituencies, where voters will elect their representatives amid an intense campaign season marked by high political activity, visits by national leaders and debate over the region's future direction.

Total voters and expanding electorate

According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed independent candidate Atique Pirzada, a total of 958,480 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across Gilgit-Baltistan in the upcoming elections.

Of these, 503,772 are male voters, accounting for approximately 53 per cent of the electorate, while 454,708 are female voters, making up the remaining 47 percent.

The voter base has expanded significantly since the previous elections, with 184,161 new voters added to the electoral rolls. The increase reflects a substantial growth in the electorate ahead of the June 7 polls and is expected to influence outcomes across multiple constituencies.

The larger voter base also highlights growing political participation across the region as Gilgit-Baltistan prepares for one of its most closely watched electoral contests in recent years.

More than 400 candidates in the electoral race

In the initial stages of the electoral process, 664 candidates filed nomination papers, but following withdrawals, 403 candidates remain in the contest. Among them, 131 are affiliated with political parties, while 272 are contesting independently.

Only eight women are contesting the elections, accounting for less than two per cent of the total candidate pool. Most of them are running as independents. Although electoral rules require political parties to ensure at least five per cent representation for women, the limited number of female candidates has drawn attention during the campaign. Among the major parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is the only one to have fielded women candidates.

Major parties and electoral positioning

The PPP remains the most active participant in the election, fielding candidates in 23 of the 24 constituencies.

As witnessed in the 2024 General Elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates are contesting as independents after being unable to run under the party's electoral symbol. Its ally, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), has fielded four candidates in constituencies where PTI has not nominated candidates, bringing their combined electoral presence to 23 constituencies.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has fielded 22 candidates and entered into a seat adjustment arrangement in GBA-23, Ghanche-III.

Other parties in the race include the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (15 candidates), Islami Tehreek Pakistan (10), Pakistan Nazaryati Party (10), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (9), Jamaat-e-Islami (6), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (6), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (7 overall) and the Awami Workers Party (4).

PTI candidates contest independently amid symbol dispute

One of the major developments of the election has been PTI's inability to contest under its traditional electoral symbol.

Election authorities cited objections related to the party's intra-party elections, resulting in PTI-backed candidates being required to contest as independents. Consequently, all PTI-supported candidates in Gilgit-Baltistan are participating without an official party symbol.

While several PTI-backed candidates are former assembly members, the electoral contest has also brought a number of new faces into politics under the PTI banner. Party leaders and supporters have argued that the situation has created an uneven electoral environment.

Concerns over a level playing field

Questions over electoral fairness have remained a recurring theme throughout the campaign.

PTI leaders have alleged restrictions on political activities, citing incidents in which party officials and candidates were reportedly denied entry into certain areas of Gilgit-Baltistan or escorted by police. The party argues that such measures have affected its election campaign.

Separately, independent candidate Atiq Mirza, contesting from GBA-2, has also reportedly faced restrictions. Political activists outside mainstream parties have encountered challenges as well. Baba Jan, a prominent leader of the Awami Workers Party, was disqualified from contesting the election, while Advocate Ehsan Ali of the Awami Action Committee remains under detention. Members of the Karakoram National Movement (KNM) have also reportedly faced arrests.

Election authorities have not publicly responded to all of the allegations. Human rights groups and political observers have emphasised the importance of ensuring that all political parties and candidates are able to participate freely in the democratic process.

National leaders join the campaign trail

The campaign has attracted prominent national political figures, reflecting the strategic importance of the election.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has campaigned across the region, while former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has also visited Gilgit to address supporters. Federal ministers and senior party leaders from various political parties have joined local campaigns, highlighting the significance of the contest.

Governance and development remain key issues

Beyond electoral competition, voters remain focused on a range of governance and development challenges facing Gilgit-Baltistan.

Political parties have highlighted constitutional rights, energy shortages, infrastructure development, healthcare, education and internet connectivity among their priorities. Climate change has also emerged as a major concern, with communities increasingly facing environmental pressures, displacement risks and climate-induced migration.

These issues are expected to play a central role in shaping voter decisions and the agenda of the next government.

The long-standing question of local governments

One of the most frequently raised governance concerns in Gilgit-Baltistan is the absence of local government elections.

Local elections have not been held in the region for more than two decades, leading to concerns about grassroots representation and local development planning.

Observers argue that elected local governments could improve service delivery and facilitate the transfer of resources to district, tehsil and village levels. In their absence, many administrative functions remain under bureaucratic control.

A crucial test for political parties

With voting day fast approaching, political parties are making their final efforts to mobilise supporters and secure electoral victories.

The contest is expected to determine not only the composition of the next Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly but also the political direction of the region over the coming years. Both the PPP and PML-N are seeking to form the next government, while smaller parties and independent candidates hope to influence the balance of power.

As Gilgit-Baltistan goes to vote today, the election will serve as a key test of public confidence in competing political visions. The outcome is expected to shape how the region addresses longstanding questions of governance, representation and development in the years ahead.

All pictures are video-grabs from various footage

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