Ghizer By-Election: 51 polling stations set up

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan’s Election Commission has set up 51 polling stations for the by-elections to be held in Ghizer District this month, officials said on Friday.

This is an increase of 11 polling stations compared to the 2009 election.

The seat fell vacant after Pir Karam Ali Shah was appointed Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.

“There will be 51 polling stations for the by-elections,” read the notification.

The details of the polling station have been dispatched to the concerned officials for arrangements.

Earlier this week, the government announced the election schedule for Constituency 19 Ghizer 1, a constituency from where the PPP has never lost any election in the past.

The announcement of a Rs100 million aid package for the constituency, made by Chief Minister Mehdi Shah earlier this month, was assailed by
opposition party candidates as pre-poll rigging,
though the election commission remained silent over the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2011.