Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday dismissed the preliminary results of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections, alleging large-scale rigging and manipulation of the electoral process. The party also demanded fresh polling in a constituency of Astore district.
According to unofficial results from Sunday’s elections, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is leading in 10 constituencies, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) holds an advantage in six seats. Independent candidates are ahead in five constituencies.
Speaking at a press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan claimed that the party faced significant obstacles during the election campaign, alleging that PTI was deliberately restricted from effectively participating in the electoral process.
He stated that PTI-backed candidates were leading in two constituencies, including Hunza and Gilgit, while a candidate supported by the party’s ally, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, was ahead in Skardu. Barrister Gohar further alleged that PTI-backed contenders had established leads in several other constituencies before the results were allegedly influenced through irregularities.
The PTI chairman maintained that the party had secured victories in eight constituencies, including seats in Astore, Diamer, Nagar and Ghizer. However, he alleged that those results were later reversed through practices he described as vote stuffing, bogus voting and manipulation of election outcomes.