Zeenews Bureau
Gilgit: The process of counting has begun as polling ended in maiden elections of Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly.
The polling in the newly-formed province began this morning at 8 and lasted till 4 pm.
After weeks of campaigning, 256 candidates are competing for the 23 Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly seats. Out of the 256, 91 candidates have been fielded by 10 major political parties. Furthermore, 165 candidates are vying for the seats as independents.
As per the latest news report, there are more than 700,000 registered voters in the province.
Polling was essentially peaceful as predicted by Chief Election Commissioner for Baltistan Rahim Nawaz Durrani.
However, polling in constituency no. 19 was deferred due to the demise of MQM candidate Sher Bahadur Khan.
Over 7,17,286 voters will elect members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.
Structured arrangements were made by the Election Commission with some booths being designated as sensitive.
