The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the leading party in the Gilgit-Baltistan general elections, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results received so far.
Vote counting is still underway across 24 general seats, with PPP securing nine seats in the results announced from 21 constituencies.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has won four seats, Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) has secured one seat, while independent candidates have claimed seven constituencies.
The early results indicate a strong performance by the PPP in several key constituencies of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In GBA-4 Nagar, PPP candidate Muhammad Ali Akhtar won the seat with 7,670 votes, defeating Muhammad Ayub Waziri of Islami Tehreek, who secured 6,566 votes.
The Form 47 for GBA-10 Skardu IV was released on Monday morning, showing Pakistan Peoples Party's Nasir Ali Khan victorious by grabbing 6,582 votes. IPP's Muhammad Khan Wazir got 4,667 votes.
In GBA-11 Kharmang, PPP's Iqbal Hassan emerged victorious after receiving 6,141 votes, while PML-N candidate Mohsin Rizvi obtained 4,170 votes.
PPP candidate Imran Nadeem won GBA-12 Shigar with 12,179 votes, defeating Raja Azam Khan of Islami Tehreek-e-Pakistan, who received 7,700 votes.
In GBA-7 Skardu, Tauqir Mehdi Shah of PPP secured victory with 4,320 votes, while Raja Jalal Hussain of IPP came second with 3,891 votes.
Meanwhile, Raja Jalal has requested a recount of votes, alleging irregularities in the vote-counting process and calling for a fresh verification of the results. According to sources in the returning officer's office, votes from all 31 polling stations in the constituency will be recounted today.
According to the latest results from GBA-17 Diamer-III, PPP candidate Muhammad Naseem secured first place with 7,722 votes. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) candidate Rehmat Khaliq finished second with 4,639 votes.
The final result is still awaited, as voters had taken away ballot boxes from six polling stations, and the results from those stations have yet to be received.
PPP also won GBA-19, where Syed Jalal Shah secured 9,613 votes. Independent candidate Nawaz Khan finished second with 8,210 votes.
In GBA-1 Gilgit-I, according to the official Form-47, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Amjad Hussain won the seat by securing 10,594 votes. PML-N candidate Mohammad Shafiquddin finished second with 6,316 votes.
According to unofficial and unconfirmed results from all 32 polling stations of GBA-5 Nagar, PPP candidate Zulfiqar Ali Murad has won the seat with 2,628 votes. Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) candidate Riyaz Akbar secured 2,394 votes and remained in second place.
PML-N secures victories in Gilgit, Ganche
The PML-N managed to secure four constituencies in the results announced so far.
According to Form 47 of GBA-20 Ghizer II, PML-N candidate Abdul Jahan won by getting 6,971 votes, while the PPP's Nazir Ahmed fell second by winning 6,758 votes.
In GBA-22 Ganche, Ibrahim Sanai of PML-N won with 12,048 votes, defeating PPP candidate Dr Ashiq Hussain, who received 9,258 votes.
Former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Hafeezur Rehman won GBA-2 Gilgit for PML-N with 11,204 votes. PPP's Jamil Ahmed came second with 7,376 votes.
According to the Form 47 of GBA-18 Diamer IV, Malik Kifayatur Rehman of PML-N was declared successful with 5,521 votes. Haji Gulbar Khan of IPP came in second with 4,916 votes.
Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen secured its first victory in the election through Maisam Kazim in GBA-8 Skardu. Kazim won the seat with 10,474 votes, narrowly defeating PPP's Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, who secured 10,118 votes.
Independents register strong performance
Independent candidates also performed strongly in several constituencies, winning seven seats according to the unofficial results.
In GBA-6 Hunza, independent candidate Nek Naam Karim won with 6,390 votes, while PPP's Imtiaz-ul-Haq came second with 5,417 votes.
Syed Sohail Abbas, contesting as an independent candidate, won GBA-3 Gilgit after securing 7,853 votes. PPP's Aftab Haider finished second with 7,434 votes.
In GBA-24, independent candidate Dr. Asad emerged victorious with 8,092 votes, while PPP candidate Engineer Ismail secured 5,072 votes.
Independent candidate Anwar Ali won GBA-23 with 12,090 votes. Another independent candidate, Abdul Hameed, came second with 3,870 votes.
In GBA-16 Diamer, independent candidate Imam Malik secured victory with 6,320 votes, defeating PPP candidate Ataullah, who received 6,296 votes. The PML-N candidate in the running finished third with 5,557 votes.
In GBA-15 Diamer 1, independent candidate Dilpazir Khan has won by getting 5,145 votes, while JUI candidate Mufti Waliur Rehman has finished second with 4,169 votes.
Independent candidate Aman Ali has won from GBA-21 Ghizer, securing 9,934 votes, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Ayub Shah is in second place with 6,643 votes, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate has secured 5,564 votes.
On the other hand, the result of GBA-9 Skardu-III has been withheld after an independent candidate requested a recount.
According to reports, independent candidate Wazir Saleem submitted an application seeking a recount of votes and alleged irregularities during the counting process, as well as tampering with Form-45. In response to the request, the RO has withheld the issuance of Form-47 pending further proceedings.
The counting process is continuing on all 24 general seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Further results from the remaining constituencies are expected as the counting process continues.
PM Shehbaz lauds successful election
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections in the region.
The prime minister said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the majority political party in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections and deserves congratulations for its performance.
He extended his congratulations to President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on the party's success.
Prime Minister Sharif also congratulated the successful candidates of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), praising them for putting up a strong contest in the elections.
"I congratulate the entire PML-N team for its hard work and dedication during the election campaign," the prime minister said.
He further congratulated all successful candidates elected to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The premier paid tribute to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for their active participation in the democratic process and political activities.
He said that peaceful, transparent elections and vibrant political engagement are the true essence of democracy. He also commended the Election Commission for ensuring transparent, free and impartial elections.
He praised the police and other law enforcement agencies for their excellent performance in maintaining peace and security during the electoral process, which helped ensure the successful conduct of the elections.
