GILGIT: Gilgit Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan on Wednesday announced decisions on the three pending election petitions, giving PPP 11 seats in the provincial assembly.
PPP candidate Attaullah Khan was declared winner from GBA 16 Diamer-II, PMLN candidate Malik Kefayat from GBA 17 and PMLN candidate from GBA 13 Astore-I.
The rival candidates had petitioned the Election Commission challenging the Form 47 results. After hearing arguments from both sides, Raja Shahbaz Khan suspended the results and reserved his verdict on the petitions.
With the announcement, the PPP has secured 11 seats followed by the PMLN securing six seats. Independent candidates, who joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) a day earlier, have won four, PTI-backed candidates have won two and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen one seat.
Raja Shahbaz said the Commission will notify the successful candidates. He said six seats reserved for women and three technocrat seats would be distributed among the parties according to the number of their seats after the official notification.
It is worth mentioning that the supporters of independent candidate in GBA 16 Imam Malik had been protesting by blocking the Karakoram Highway at Chilas and demanding re-polling at specific stations.
The CEC earlier ordered re-polling at three stations in GBA 16 but later rescinded the decision. He had also deferred results for GBA 13 Astore-I and GBA 16 Diamer-II till June 17 (Wednesday).
According to the Election Commission, the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly elections held on June 7 witnessed of 70 per cent turnout, which the CEC had earlier described as a reflection of the public’s deep confidence in the democratic process.
