Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan announced Wednesday that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the largest party in the regional assembly with 11 seats. The final results, confirmed 10 days after polling, follow the resolution of outstanding election petitions, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) securing six seats as the second-largest party.
Final Assembly Composition and Results
The election commission finalized the results for all 24 general seats after adjudicating disputes regarding Form-47. According to Commissioner Khan, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) holds the status of the third-largest parliamentary group, following the post-election decision of four independent candidates to join its ranks. Other representation includes one seat for the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and two seats held by PTI-backed independent candidates.
Did You Know? The official election results were finalized nearly 10 days after the initial polling took place, a delay attributed in part to the processing of formal petitions filed by rival candidates disputing preliminary counts.
Government Formation and Coalition Agreements
The process of forming a government is moving forward through a consensus agreement between the PPP and PML-N. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that while the PML-N will occupy opposition benches, its members will support the PPP to ensure the formation of a stable government. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the agreement includes allocating the positions of governor and deputy speaker to the PML-N.
Election Administration and Oversight Concerns
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised concerns regarding the administration of the election. In a statement on X, the organization cited the commission’s decision to suspend re-polling in five constituencies as a move that risks weakening public confidence in the electoral process. The HRCP has requested that the election commission provide a formal clarification regarding the legal and factual basis for its procedural changes.
Expert Insight
The transition from a contested electoral outcome to a formal coalition government in Gilgit-Baltistan illustrates the role of political negotiation in managing thin legislative majorities. By securing support from the PML-N, the PPP gains the necessary backing to bypass the challenges posed by an opposition alliance that continues to allege irregularities. The stability of this arrangement will likely depend on the successful allocation of the remaining nine reserved seats—six for women and three for technocrats—which will be distributed based on the final party representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which party secured the most seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly?
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as the largest party with 11 seats.
How many seats did the PML-N win?
The PML-N won six seats, making it the second-largest party in the assembly.
What is the current status of the IPP in the assembly?
The IPP is the third-largest parliamentary group, having grown to four members after independent candidates joined the party following the election.
How will the inclusion of reserved seats further shape the balance of power in the assembly?