Gilgit Baltistan Election 2020 results: Counting of votes underway

A total of 745,361 voters were expected to vote for 23 constituencies across 1,160 polling stations

Web Desk

November 16, 2020

The polling time for the Gilgit Baltistan Election 2020 had ended at 5pm on Sunday and the counting of votes is currently underway.

A total of 745,361 voters expected to have voted for 23 constituencies across 1,160 polling stations on Sunday. Gilgit Baltistan region's administration said at least 15,900 law enforcement personnel were deployed for security purposes.

Out of the 847 polling booths, 418 were declared highly sensitive, 311 sensitive and 431 normal.

Twenty-four seats of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly are up for grabs among the 320 candidates that contested.

As of 8:05pm, Monday, PTI is ahead with a lead in 8 of 23 constituencies.

The live blog has been closed for the day. Geo News will present fresh updates from Tuesday, 8:30 am

11:21pm — GB Governor lauds authorities' role in holding of free and fair elections

Governor Gilgit-Baltistitan Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon praised the role of all relevant stakeholders for holding of free, fair, and transparent elections, Radio Pakistan reported.

In a statement, the governor said despite snowfall and rain in remote valleys, people came out and casted votes.

10:12pm — GB CEC asks Bilawal to take up issues with him and not hold pressers

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should take up polling issues with him rather than holding press conferences.

"On the request of PPP candidate Jameel Ahmed Kha, recounting was done in GBA-2," he said.

Khan said that if PPP had reservations, then they should have demanded that the recounting be done in front of the cameras.

"Counting of postal ballot papers has been halted due to riots and sit-ins," he added.

9:31pm — Bilawal addresses press conference on GB elections

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused the government of rigging the Gilgit Baltistan elections 2020, vowing that he will "safeguard the right of the people's vote" in the region.

Lashing out at the federal government, the PPP chairman said that he will lead the party's protest against "rigging" till the right of the vote was not safeguarded.

"The PTI was not even prepared to contest the elections," alleged Bilawal. "They did not even have a candidate for the post of chief minister."

9:00pm — HRCP says it is dissatisfied with GB polls

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said it was concerned to learn that independent election observers were not allowed into polling stations in the city of Gilgit during the vote-counting process.

In a statement, it said that an HRCP team was not allowed to enter a polling station in Sherqila, Ghizer-1 (GBA-19).

In at least two cases, the HRCP team received reports that some voters had voted more than once at women’s polling stations in Ghanche and Diamer districts.

Speaking to the HRCP team, some candidates claimed that certain members of the ruling party, including Ali Amin Gandapur, Murad Saeed, and Saifullah Niazi, had continued to electioneer in Gilgit-Baltistan in violation of the Elections Act 2017.

Read complete statement here.

8:25pm — Government rejects Opposition's rigging allegations

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said the Gilgit Baltistan elections were held "in the most transparent manner", Radio Pakistan reported.

Addressing a press conference, he said the people of Gilgit Baltistan fully participated in the democratic process and that they had rejected the narrative of the PDM and voted for a bright future.

The information minister rejected the opposition's allegations of rigging, saying it is their hallmark, especially that of the PML-N that only those elections are free in which they secure victories.

8:05pm — Results in two constituencies delayed

The results in two constituencies — GBA-17 and -18 — has been delayed.

Meanwhile, PTI is in the lead after grabbing eight constituencies, according to unofficial and provisional results.

PTI: 8

Independent: 7

PPP: 3

PML-N: 2

MWM: 1

7:35pm — PPP claims rigging took place in GBA-2, Gilgit-II

PPP workers are protesting outside the district returning officer's office from the morning and are claiming that rigging took place in GBA-2, Gilgit-II.

Due to the sit-in, the adjoining routes of Shahrah-e-Quaideen have been blocked.

6:51pm — 'A precedent of transparent election has been set in GB': FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that a precedent of free and fair elections had been set in Gilgit-Baltistan and that the people of the region had rejected PPP and PML-N.

"The people of Gilgit have rejected the PML-N based on its stance," he said, adding that the voter turnout was huge despite harsh weather conditions.

The security situation in GB was exemplary, he said, adding: "The Pakistan Democratic Movement is working on an anti-state agenda to spread anarchy in the country."

6:23pm — PPP protests against election results

5:24pm — 'You have been robbed of your rights': Bilawal

A fierce Bilawal Bhutto, addressing a public gathering, said that that the people had robbed of their rights and that the elections had been rigged.

"Our candidates were asked to leave PPP and join PTI," he said, adding that the government was "frightened" after witnessing the PPP's election campaign.

The PPP chairman slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan and the federal ministers, saying that they went against the law during their GB campaign.

5:00pm — PTI leads elections after bagging eight constituencies

According to unofficial and provisional results, PTI is in the lead after it had bagged eight seats.

PTI: 8

Independent: 7

PPP: 3

PML-N: 2

MWM: 1

4:54pm — Eight of our leaders were forced to switch loyalties in GB: Khawaja Saad Rafique

PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said that eight of our leaders were forced to switch loyalties in Gilgit-Baltistan after the PML-N rejected the results.

"Prime Minister Imran Khan is the favourite, he can go anywhere he wishes to," he said, adding that the premier had "succeded" big opponents and martial laws.

Rafique warned the government that the Pakistan Democratic Movement's campaign was catching pace.

4:40pm — PML-N rejects election results, calls for protest

The PML-N has rejected the GB election results and said that it would protest against them

PML-N's secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal said that returning officers would visit government officials in the morning.

"The people are being robbed of their rights," he said, adding that independent candidates won against PTI candidates. "

"The success of the independent candidates means that the people have rejected the PTI," added Iqbal.

3:45pm — Bilawal leads PPP's protest against 'rigging' in Gilgit

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is leading a protest at Gilgit’s DC Chowk against the alleged “rigging” in the elections carried out in the region.

“The people of this are will not allow you to steal their votes,” said Bilawal while addressing the protest. He added that his party will stand with the people of Gb and encouraged them to keep on protesting.

“We will show them that GB’s people will not be sold,” said Bilawal. He added that he will protect the votes of the people of the region.

"We will stop the rigging that happened last night," the PPP chairman told the people.

3:40pm — Complete unofficial, preliminary results of 20 constituencies

GBA-1, Gilgit-I: PPP's Amjad Hussain wins with 11,178 votes

GBA-2, Gilgit-II: PTI's Fattaullah Khan wins with 6,696 votes

GBA-4, Nagar-I: PPP's Amjad Hussain wins with 6,104 votes

GBA-5, Nagar-II: Independent candidate Javed Ali Manwa wins with 2,443 votes

GBA-6, Hunza: PTI's Abaidullah Baig wins with 5,624 votes

GBA-7, Skardu-I: PTI's Raja Muhammad Zakaria Khan wins with 5,288 votes

GBA-8, Skardu-II: MWM's Mohammad Kazim wins with 7,842 votes

GBA-9, Skardu-III: Independent candidate Wazir Muhammad Saleem wins with 7,534 votes

GBA-10, Skardu-IV: Independent candidate Nasir Ali Khan wins with 4,667 votes

GBA-11, Kharmang: PTI's Syed Majid Ali wins with 5,733 votes

GBA-12, Shigar: PTI's Raja Azam Khan wins with 10,349 votes

GBA-13, Astore-I: PTI's candidate Muhammad Khalid Khursheed wins with 5,325 votes

GBA-14, Astore-II: PTI's Shamsul Haq Lone wins with 5,418 votes

GBA-15, Diamer-I: Independent candidate Haji Shah Baig wins with 2,685 votes

GBA-16, Diamer-II: PML-N’s Muhammad Anwar wins with 5,605 votes

GBA-19, Ghizer I: Independent candidate Nawaz Khan Naji wins with 6,448 votes

GBA-20, Ghizer II: PTI’s Nazir Ahmed wins with 5,430 votes

GBA-22, Ghanche-I: Independent candidate Mushtaq Hussain wins with 6,051 votes

GBA-23, Ghanche-II: Independent candidate Abdul Hameed wins with 3,666 votes

GBA-24, Ghanche-III: PPP's Muhammad Ismail wins with 6,204 votes

3:35pm — PTI wins in GBA-13, Astore-I unofficial, provisional result show

Unofficial results from GBA-13, Astore-I show PTI candidate Muhammad Khalid Khursheed has won with 5,325 votes.

PMLN’s Rana Farman came in second with 3,528 votes.

PPP’s Abul Hameed stood third with 3117 votes.

2:35pm — A look at seats held by each party from 2009-2020

1:50pm — My election has been stolen, says PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari claimed on Monday that his election in the Gilgit Baltistan region "has been stolen".

"I will be joining the people of Gilgit Baltistan in their protest shortly," tweeted the PPP chairman.

1:45pm — PTI candidate defeats former GB CM and PML-N leader Hafiz-ur-Rehman

PTI candidate Fattaullah Khan defeated former GB chief minister and PML-N leader Hafiz-ur-Rehman in the GBA-2, Gilgit II constituency.

According to unofficial results, the PTI candidate won by securing 6,696 votes and defeated PPP's Jamil Ahmed by two votes.

While Rehman came third place and secured only 3,964 votes

12:35pm — Not getting majority a defeat for PTI: Maryam

A day after the GB election, Maryam Nawaz said that the PTI failed to achieve a clear majority after carrying out rigging, using state machinery and changing party loyalties in the region.

“Not getting a simple majority for PTI is a shameful defeat,” claimed Maryam. She added that a party ruling at the centre faced such a “defeat” for the “first time”.

The PML-N leader claimed that the PTI’s defeat is the story for the coming days.

12:20am — PM Imran Khan thanks Gilgit Baltistan after PTI emerges as largest party

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday thanked the people of Gilgit Baltistan after his party emerged as the leading party in Sunday's polls.

The PM took to Instagram to thanks the people of the region by sharing a picture from his recent to GB.

"Thank you Gilgit Baltistan!" said PM Imran in the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Imran Khan (@imrankhan.pti)

11:40am — People of GB have shown confidence in PM Imran Khan's leadership: Faraz

Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz said on Monday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) victory was a show of confidence in PM Imran Khan’s leadership by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The minister stated that the people of GB have “categorically rejected” the PML-N’s statement and have put a stamp on the ideology of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

11:25am — People of GB have buried anti-state narrative: Gill

The people of Gilgit Baltistan have buried the anti-state narrative of Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif, said Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill.

“People have made their trust clear on Prime Minister Imran Khan,” said Gill

10:30am — Complete unofficial, preliminary results of 19 constituencies