Political parties in Gilgit-Baltistan entered the final day of campaigning on June 5 [1], with general election polling scheduled for June 7 [1].
The elections serve as a critical test of national political dynamics in the region. They also mark a significant return to grassroots democracy, as the area prepares for local government elections after an 18-year gap [2, 3].
Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan is overseeing the process across the region, including the districts of Skardu, Gilgit, Diamer, and Ghizer [1, 4]. Major political entities, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have mobilized supporters for the final stretch of the campaign [1, 4].
While the general election polling occurs this Sunday, the region will later hold local government elections on Aug. 2 [2]. This upcoming local vote is particularly notable because it ends nearly two decades of absence in local representation [2].
The campaign activities have intensified across the mountainous territory as parties vie for control. The general elections are viewed by observers as a barometer for the broader political climate within Pakistan [3, 4].
Officials have focused on ensuring the logistical readiness of polling stations in the diverse districts of the region. The transition toward local governance in August is expected to decentralize power further after the 18-year hiatus [2].
“Gilgit-Baltistan will hold local government elections after 18 years.”
The simultaneous pursuit of general and long-delayed local elections suggests an effort to stabilize governance in Gilgit-Baltistan. By closing an 18-year gap in local representation, the Pakistani state is attempting to institutionalize grassroots political participation in a strategically sensitive region, while the general election results will likely reflect the current standing of the PTI, PPP, and PML-N on a national scale.
