Vote count underway as polling concludes in GB elections

GILGIT: The vote count is underway as polling process has been completed in maiden elections of Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly. The polling in constituency 19 has been postponed due to demise of MQM candidate.

Long queues of public witnessed at different polling stations when polling opened at 8:
00 am which lasts till 4:00 pm. The polling process at some of the polling stations has been complete two hours before the closing time with 100 percent vote cast. The polling was conducted in a peaceful manner as minor incidents reported at few polling stations.

Over 7,17,286 voters will elect members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.

More than 250 candidates are taking part in the election being held in 23 constituencies out of 24. There would be no polling in constituency GB-19 where election was postponed due to the demise of MQM candidate Sher Bahadur Khan.

According to the Election Commission, 3,32,377 female and 3,84,909 male voters would cast their votes to elect 23 members for the assembly.

The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of election. It has set up 982 polling stations in all six districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, of which 253 are reserved for women while 258 for male voters. Besides 511 mixed polling stations, the Election Commission has declared 153 polling stations sensitive and 119 stations very sensitive.

An election cell and a control room have also been established to address complaints or give information about the polls. Moreover, in order to conduct the election in a smooth manner, 24 returning officers and 25 assistant returning officers have been deployed while more than 3,000 polling staff has also been assigned duties on the polling day.

Foolproof security measures have been adopted under which around 5,000 security staff is deployed at the polling stations, especially the sensitive and highly sensitive stations. Two battalions of the Army have been called and moved to different areas of the region. Army soldiers would be available on a call in case of any emergency.

Meanwhile, political activities and election campaign ended at midnight on Wednesday under the election order. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of the area, Rahim Nawaz Khan Durrani, has directed all the district election commissioners and polling staff to ensure on time arrival at their respective stations.