LG polls in G-B deferred due to Chehlum

Election Commission to hold elections now on September 27

GILGIT:

The local government (LG) elections in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) have been deferred till September 27 in view of Muharram and Chehlum events. The LG polls were earlier scheduled for August 2.

On Monday, G-B Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan held a press conference to announce the new polls date.

According to Khan, several religious organisations had approached the election commission, requesting that the LG elections be held after Muharram and the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

Ashura—the 10th day of Muharram—will be observed on Friday, June 26 while the Chehlum will be observed in the first week of August.

"Today (Monday) was the last day for filing nomination papers; however, in view of Muharram, the scrutiny date for nomination papers has been extended to August 10, 2026," he stated.

He said polling for the LG elections would be held on September 27, 2026, and that a total of 1,343 wards would be covered in the elections.

"The LG elections are a long-standing demand of the people as they will help resolve public issues at the local level," he said, adding that the LG polls will be held on a party basis, and no candidate will be able to contest as an independent. "The minimum age for a candidate is 25 years," he added.

He said the G-B Election Commission will continue to fulfil its constitutional and legal responsibilities for holding transparent, free and fair elections.

During the press conference, the CEC also announced the decision on 14 election petitions filed after the recent legislative assembly elections He said the decision on two constituencies—GBA-13 Astore-I and GBA-16 Diamer-II—had been deferred until June 17.