ISLAMABAD/GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari early Monday claimed his party was emerging as the single largest political force in Gilgit-Baltistan as the electoral authorities concluded the vote count after Sunday’s elections.
In a post on social media platform X, Bilawal thanked voters for reposing confidence in the PPP and congratulated party workers on what he described as the party’s victory, saying the party would seek to form the next government
“The Pakistan People’s Party is emerging as the single largest party and we will be attempting to form government,” he said, adding that he was grateful to the people for their trust and extended congratulations to PPP workers, commonly known as jiyalas, on their success.
According to unofficial results, PPP won seven seats (leading on three others), the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) one seat (leading on five others), independent candidates four seats (leading on two others), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) one seat while Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) was leading on one seat.
Final official results are awaited from the Election Commission, while political parties have begun informal consultations regarding possible alliances and the composition of the next Gilgit-Baltistan government.
However, PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari Sunday alleged that the party was not being provided Form-45 following polling in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, raising concerns over the transparency of post-election process.
Speaking on the issue, he claimed that PPP representatives were being denied access to Form-45 and were instead being told to leave polling-related premises. He said the matter had been brought to the notice of chief election commissioner through direct contact.
“The elections in Gilgit-Baltistan were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and efforts should be made to ensure that the environment remains calm,” Bokhari said, warning against any actions that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
He called on the Election Commission to play its role immediately and ensure that all legal and procedural requirements, including the provision of Form-45 to candidates and polling agents, are fulfilled without delay.
Also, PPP Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan accused the federal government of attempting to engineer the outcome of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections, asserting that the public mandate could not be altered through administrative tactics or political pressure.
In a statement, he alleged that two federal ministers were currently present in Gilgit-Baltistan and were exerting pressure on the local administration and state machinery to influence the election results. He claimed that reports were emerging of presiding officers facing pressure not to issue Form-45, describing the alleged move as a serious threat to the transparency and credibility of electoral process.
Chan specifically named federal ministers Amir Muqam and Aleem Khan, alleging that their presence and activities in the region were inconsistent with the conduct of free, fair and impartial elections. He further alleged that instead of accepting the people’s verdict, attempts were being made to manipulate outcomes through administrative influence and misuse of official authority.
Calling for immediate intervention, he urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the situation, ensure protection for presiding officers, guarantee the timely issuance of Form-45, and take indiscriminate action against anyone found interfering in the electoral process.
Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday strongly condemned what it described as the worst-ever electoral rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan, alleging blatant attempts to manipulate results and the open use of state machinery in several constituencies.
In a statement, the party claimed that according to initial and unofficial counts, PTI candidates were leading in multiple constituencies until 7pm. However, it alleged that results from certain polling stations began to emerge thereafter showing unusually high voter turnout — exceeding 80 per cent — with individual ballot boxes reportedly containing 700 to 800 votes, figures the party said raised serious doubts about the credibility of the process.
“This is a shameful stain on the transparency of the entire electoral exercise,” the statement read, adding that PTI polling agents were allegedly being denied Form 46, which it termed a clear violation of election laws and a move that had intensified fears of result manipulation.
The party further alleged that in areas including Nagar, individuals affiliated with rival parties were caught with fake ballot papers. It claimed that some suspects were apprehended earlier in the day, terming the incidents evidence of a “well-planned and systematic conspiracy”.
PTI contended that the alleged irregularities were not limited to polling day but were preceded by what it described as pre-poll rigging. The party alleged that voter lists were tampered with in certain constituencies, with the same voters added to multiple polling stations. It also claimed that police and administrative officials were used to alter delimitations and polling schemes, and that opposition candidates and workers faced harassment and pressure.
On the other hand, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gilgit-Baltistan Raja Shahbaz Khan visited various polling stations across the Gilgit city on Sunday to review the polling process, security arrangements and overall electoral environment during the general elections 2026.
Provincial Election Commissioner Abid Raza, Deputy Commissioner Gilgit Arif Ahmad, SP Gilgit and other relevant officials accompanied him during the visit.
The CEC interacted with polling staff, security personnel and administrative officers, directing them to perform their duties with neutrality, transparency and professionalism. He also inspected the facilities and arrangements provided to voters at the polling stations.
During the visit, Raja Shahbaz Khan met polling agents representing different candidates. The agents appreciated the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan for ensuring peaceful polling and making effective arrangements for the electoral process.
Later, the chief election commissioner visited the Gilgit Safe City Control Centre, where he was briefed on the monitoring of polling stations, security measures and special arrangements made for the elections.
Inspector General of Police Dr. Nasir Akbar Khan and other senior officials were also present.
