GILGIT: All arrangements have been finalised for repolling at three polling stations in Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly constituency GBA-16 Diamer-II today (Sunday), with a close contest expected between PPP candidate Attaullah Shah and Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Imam Malik.

The PML-N has announced an alliance with IPP candidate Imam Malik, while supporters of Mr Shah staged a sit-in outside the Diamer Deputy Commissioner’s Office, alleging that biased presiding officers had been appointed at the polling stations.

On Nov 6, GB Election Tribunal Judge Mushtaq Mohammad suspended the membership of PPP lawmaker Attaullah Shah from GBA-16 Diamer-II and ordered repolling at three polling stations in the constituency.

Three polling stations to decide fate of candidates

The following day, Mr Shah challenged the tribunal’s decision before a GB Chief Court bench. The bench, comprising Chief Judge Ali Baig and Justice Johar Ali, upheld the election tribunal’s decision and observed that it could be challenged before the GB Supreme Appellate Court.

However, according to lawyers, the only judge of the GB Supreme Appellate Court was out of the country, and the appeal remained pending.

Acting on the election tribunal’s order, the GB Chief Election Commissioner fixed Nov 15 for repolling at the three polling stations. The GB Election Commission has finalised all arrangements, while more than 400 police and GB Scouts personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling.

According to a notification issued on Saturday, GB Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan authorised the presiding officers appointed for the three polling stations to exercise the powers of a First-Class Magistrate.

District Returning Officer and Diamer Deputy Commissioner retired Lt Col Muhammad Owais Abbasi, accompanied by GB Scouts Sector Commander Col Adnan, GB Scouts Wing Commander Bilal Azam and Diamer SSP Muhammad Ayaz, visited the three polling stations at Thor, Sarri and Gichi.

During the visit, the senior officials reviewed security arrangements and inspected the polling station buildings and other facilities.

A total of 2,780 registered voters at the three polling stations, including two women-only polling stations and one combined polling station, will exercise their right to vote.

According to the GB Election Commission, polling will begin at 8am on Sunday and continue until 5pm. Voters present inside the polling stations at the closing time will be allowed to cast their ballots.
Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2026