PTI gains two-thirds majority in G-B Assembly
Voters waiting in snow and extreme cold weather for their turn to cast vote in Gilgit. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attained the two-thirds majority in the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative Assembly after addition of reserved seats following election to 24 general seats, according to the official results announced by the region’s election commission.
The Gilgit-Baltistan chief election commissioner (CEC) on Tuesday issued the official notification of the successful candidates for general seats in the November 15 election, and the successful candidates for technocrat and women seats.
According to the notification, out of the total 24 general seats, PTI had won 10 seats, independent candidates 7, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) 3, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) 2, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) 1 and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) 1 seat.
Later, six of the seven independents joined the PTI, raising its strength to 16. On the basis of the party position, the election commission distributed 9 reserved seats among the parties -- 4 women and 2 technocrat seats to PTI, 1 woman and 1 technocrat to PPP and 1 woman seat to PML-N.
Following the issuance of notifications of successful candidates for the reserved seats of technocrat and women, the PTI’s strength in the 33-member house rises to 22 seats, PPP goes up to 5 and PML-N to 3. The MWM, JUI-F and independents share one seat each.
Those elected on the reserved seats, include PTI’s Akbar Ali and Fazal Rahim on technocrats’ seats and Fatima, Suraya Mohammad Zaman, Dilshad Bano and Kulsoom Ilyas on women seats. PPP’s Ghulam Shehzad was elected for technocrat seat and Sadia Danish for women seat. Sanam Bibi was elected from the PML-N in a reserved seat for women.
After the announcement of the complete result of the election, the PTI has emerged as the biggest single party with two-thirds majority in the 33-strong GB Assembly.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)