GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan will hold local government elections in February next year, ending a two-decade hiatus, the region’s Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan announced.
According to the election schedule, polling for local bodies will take place on February 14. A public notice will be issued on December 19, while candidates will be able to submit nomination papers from December 22 to 26.
In a statement, Khan described the long-delayed local government elections as “the need of the hour,” saying they would strengthen grassroots democracy and help address public issues at the community level. He said the absence of local bodies for nearly 20 years had limited citizens’ direct participation in governance and development decisions.
He added that the election commission was fully prepared to conduct the polls in a transparent, fair and lawful manner, calling the elections a milestone for democratic consolidation and local development in the region.
Separately, the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission has convened a multiparty conference (MPC) on December 18 to consult political parties on the general elections scheduled for January 24 next year.
Khan said the meeting aims to gather views and recommendations from political stakeholders to ensure a credible and inclusive electoral process. He urged all political parties or their authorised representatives to participate.
However, political leaders have raised concerns over holding elections in January due to harsh winter conditions across the mountainous region. Sources said parties are expected to press for a delay until May.
In the event of a postponement, the election commission is considering holding the general and local government elections simultaneously, the sources added.
