GILGIT: The return of grassroots democracy to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is finally in sight, with the region’s Election Commission on Monday announcing that local government (LG) elections will be held on February 14, 2026.
This development marks the end of a significant 21-year gap in elected local bodies, a period that critics argue weakened local governance and decision-making across the mountainous territory.
GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan issued a notification on Monday detailing the polls, which will cover union councils, district councils, town committees, municipal committees, and municipal corporations. The elections will be conducted under the Elections Act 2017 and the Gilgit-Baltistan Local Government Act 2014.
The last time the region went to the polls for local governments was in 2004. The official schedule indicates a rapid pre-election process. Candidates will submit papers between December 22 and 26, 2025, followed by the scrutiny phase which will conclude on January 2, 2026. After a period for appeals, election symbols will be allotted and the final list of candidates will be issued on January 15.
Polling will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 8am to 4pm. To ensure a smooth electoral process, the Election Commission has appointed senior judicial officers and deputy commissioners as district returning officers across all 10 districts.
Raja Shahbaz underscored the gravity of the exercise, stating: “The transparent electoral process is considered as the key instrument in democracy.” In a separate but related development, the ECC decided to convene an All-Party Conference (APC) to consult if polls are scheduled for January 24, 2026 are feasible given harsh winters in the region.
According to a statement, to ensure the electoral process “clean, transparent, fair, and in accordance with democratic principles”, the APC will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 11am at the Election Commission Secretariat office in Gilgit. Heads or authorised representatives of all political parties in Gilgit-Baltistan will participate in the conference.
