Gilgit-Baltistan is preparing for its next legislative assembly elections, which are expected to take place before January 2026 as the current five-year term of the assembly comes to an end. Political activity has already started picking up in the region, with parties organizing public meetings, meeting voters, and preparing their strategies.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly was last elected in November 2020. According to the law, the next elections must be held within five years. This means the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan will have to announce the schedule soon, most likely in the last quarter of 2025. Political experts and observers believe that the upcoming elections will play an important role in shaping the future of governance, development, and representation in this important mountainous region of Pakistan.
Major political parties such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are expected to contest actively. PTI, which won a majority in the 2020 elections and formed the government under Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, will aim to retain its position, although its internal challenges and national political shifts may affect its support. PPP, which has traditionally held strong influence in the region, has already started outreach campaigns. PML-N is also reorganizing its local structure in hopes of gaining more seats.
Apart from the national parties, local groups and independent candidates will also play a key role. In previous elections, independent candidates secured several seats and later joined various parties, influencing the formation of the government.
People in Gilgit-Baltistan are showing increasing political awareness, especially youth and first-time voters. Issues like road infrastructure, tourism, electricity shortages, job creation, healthcare, and education are expected to be at the center of election campaigns. Voters are also likely to raise their concerns about constitutional rights, provincial status, and the pace of development projects under CPEC.
The Election Commission is expected to release voter lists, constituency maps, and polling station details soon. Security arrangements and fair election monitoring will also be important in ensuring that the elections are peaceful and transparent.
As Gilgit-Baltistan moves closer to election time, political dialogue and public debate are growing. This election is not just about selecting representatives but also about the future direction of the region, which continues to balance its unique identity, geography, and growing role in the national and regional landscape.
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