The arrangements for elections in Gilgit-Baltistan for electing new members of legislative assembly have been finalised and polling will be held today (Monday).
A total of 272 candidates are in the field against 24 Legislative Assembly seats. Polling will start at 8am and continue till 4pm without any break.
Among the candidates, 24 belong to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 22 to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), 21 candidates are from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), nine from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), 12 from All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) whereas Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) and Islami Tehreek-e-Pakistan have given tickets to 10 candidates each.
More than 1,143 polling stations have been set up where over 601,700 registered voters will cast their votes.
Meanwhile, army troops have been deployed in all districts of GB for maintaining peace and security during elections. According to ISPR, the measure has been taken on the requisition of Election Commission and civil administration.
According to police sources, 48 polling stations were declared most sensitive, 77 sensitive, 83 normal, while 2,000 personnel of Pak Army and 1,800 cops of police were deputed to maintain law and order during the elections.
Police have also installed 112 CCTV cameras to ensure strict surveillance at the entry and exit points of the polling stations. A control room to monitor security have been setup at Gilgit police line, they added.
