G-B polls to be held on party basis: CEC

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) chief election commissioner (CEC) has rejected "unfounded claims" with regard to the election commission's alleged lack of ability to conduct polls. He has stated that next year both general elections and local government (LG) polls will be held on party basis.

"The G-B Election Commission has full constitutional and legal powers to hold LG elections. Misinformation is being spread on the issue without any legal basis." CEC Raja Shah Baz Khan said on Friday while addressing a press conference at the Election Commission Secretariat in Gilgit.

He said voter display centres have been established across the G-B to facilitate the registration, verification and correction of electoral details. According to the CEC, voters can visit these centres until the end of December to ensure their particulars are correctly reflected in the electoral rolls.

On December 12, Khan announced holding the G-B Assembly elections on January 24, 2026. He later unveiled that the LG polls in the region would be held on February 14, 2026.

However, a week later on December 19, the CEC announced deferring both the elections in view of harsh weather conditions after a multiparty conference. He said the new polling dates for both elections would be announced later.

Talking with reference to the deferral, he said the schedules for the G-B Assembly and LG elections were recently postponed due to severe weather conditions and on the request of political parties.

He said heavy snowfall and extreme cold in several districts made it difficult to proceed with elections as initially planned, but a revised schedule would be announced soon.

Khan maintained that all arrangements for free, fair and transparent elections have been completed and that the commission remains fully prepared to conduct polls once conditions allow.

He said a proper legal framework exists for the LG elections which would be held "in all circumstances". The CEC said the commission is committed to restoring the right to local representation.