PM congratulates PPP for emerging as leading party; commends the Electoral Commission for ensuring free, fair elections
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday strongly condemned what it described as massive electoral irregularities, manipulation of results and misuse of state machinery in several constituencies during the Gilgit-Baltistan elections held on Sunday.
In a statement issued by its central media wing on X, PTI said the early unofficial results showed its candidates leading until around 10 p.m. The party also claimed that some ballot boxes contained between 700 and 800 votes, raising serious questions about transparency.
The PTI further alleged that its polling agents were denied Form 45, calling it a violation of election laws and saying it heightened concerns over tampering with results. The party added that reports from Nagar and other areas indicated the recovery of fake ballots from people associated with rival parties, while some suspects were reportedly caught red-handed in the early hours of the day.
According to PTI, the alleged irregularities were not limited to polling day but were part of pre-poll manipulation, including changes in voter lists, duplication of voter entries across different polling stations, alleged interference by police and administration in constituency boundaries and polling arrangements, and harassment of candidates and party workers.
press release
Last day: 07 January 2026
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly condemns election rigging, attempts to alter the results and state machinery in various constituencies of Gilgit-Baltistan.
according to preliminary results and unofficial count
— PTI Gilgit Baltistan (@PTIGBOfficial) June 8, 2026
The party said these incidents reflected attempts to undermine the public mandate. The PTI warned that it would pursue all constitutional, legal and democratic options to protect the rights of its voters in case of any change in the election result.
It called for the immediate release of verified results from all polling stations, the release of Forms 45 and 46 to all candidates without delay and an independent investigation into suspicious polling stations, along with action against those responsible. It also urged the Election Commission to ensure full transparency and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
The PTI reiterated that it would continue to defend the mandate of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and oppose any attempt to influence the election outcome.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, congratulated the people of GB on the successful conduct of what he described as “transparent, peaceful and politically vibrant elections.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had emerged as the leading political party in the elections and deserved congratulations. He also congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the result.
Prime Minister Shehbaz further congratulated the successful candidates of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying they had staged a strong election campaign and praised their campaigning efforts. He congratulated all successful candidates across the UK and noted that their success reflected public confidence.
The Prime Minister appreciated the people of GB for their active participation in the democratic process and said their engagement strengthened the democratic traditions of the region. He said peaceful and transparent elections were the true hallmark of democracy and commended the Election Commission for ensuring free and fair polls.
He also praised the role of law enforcement agencies and stated that the police and other security institutions played an important role in maintaining peace during the election process and deserved appreciation for their performance.
The vote across the UK was peaceful on Sunday. Voting began at 8.00 and continued uninterrupted until 17.00 in all districts. Election day passed without major disturbances, and voters turned up in significant numbers at polling stations throughout the region.
Read more: PPP takes early lead in GB metrics
According to unofficial and incomplete results, the PPP is leading in 11 of the 24 seats, followed by the PML-N with five seats. PTI was ahead in three constituencies while its ally Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen was leading in one seat. Independent candidates are currently ahead in two constituencies.
But nearly 22 hours after the end of voting, not a single official result has been announced, raising concerns over the delay in the formal declaration of results.
According to official figures, there are 963,000 registered voters in GB, including 506,000 men and 456,000 women. A total of 1,391 polling stations were set up, where a large turnout was experienced, with women also participating in significant numbers.
More than 12 political parties, along with independent candidates, participated in the election. Overall, 396 male candidates and eight female candidates participated in the contest, highlighting a competitive field in the region. The contest between the PPP and the PML-N was watched particularly closely.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly consists of 33 seats. Of these, 24 are filled by direct election, while six seats are reserved for women and three for technocrats. A simple majority of 17 seats is required for a party or alliance to form the government.
