Gilgit-Baltistan is set to hold elections for its Legislative Assembly on June 7, 2026. On the surface, this appears to be a standard democratic exercise. However, the region's unique geography, political dynamics, and strategic significance make these elections far from ordinary. The entire nation is closely watching the process.
Voter Demographics and Election Setup
According to the Election Commission, there are 958,480 registered voters, comprising 503,772 men and 454,708 women. Voting will occur at 2,450 polling stations, staffed by 7,678 officials. The assembly consists of 33 seats: 24 general and nine reserved. A total of 396 candidates are contesting for the general seats. A party needs 17 seats to form a government. The most competitive constituency is GBA-2 in Gilgit, where 58 candidates are vying for victory. In contrast, one constituency in Diamer has only 11 contestants.
Historical Electoral Patterns
Gilgit-Baltistan's electoral history reveals a consistent trend: the party in power in Islamabad typically wins in the region as well. The PPP formed the government in 2009, PML-N in 2015, and PTI in 2020. In each case, the ruling party at the center also dominated in GB. After Khalid Khurshid's disqualification in 2023 due to a fake degree, Haji Gulbar Khan became chief minister with support from PTI's Forward Block and smaller parties. This pattern suggests that elections have often been about capturing power rather than serving the public.
Campaign Dynamics and Concerns
During the current campaign, leaders from PML-N, PPP, and IPP have been highly visible. Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Khawaja Saad Rafique have addressed rallies across GB. In contrast, PTI's activities have been severely restricted. Junaid Akbar, the party's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president, was arrested and expelled from the region. Asad Qaiser and Salman Akram Raja were denied permission to campaign. PTI candidates are also contesting without their party symbol. This raises questions about whether all parties have been given an equal opportunity.
Clean elections are not solely judged on polling day; the entire process must be free from doubt. If the world is to be convinced that Kashmiris deserve free and fair voting rights, then GB's elections must become a model of transparency, equal opportunity, and public confidence.
Lack of Substantive Manifestos
Despite loud rallies and slogans, most parties have failed to present serious, workable manifestos for Gilgit-Baltistan. The region's persistent problems remain unaddressed: severe electricity shortages, weak health services, dilapidated roads in remote areas, unemployment, poor education, and crumbling infrastructure. Although GB is blessed with natural resources, tourism potential, and strategic value, ordinary citizens continue to lack basic facilities. Campaign promises have not been backed by clear plans to resolve these issues permanently.
The Strategic Importance of GB Elections
Gilgit-Baltistan is not just another administrative unit; it is a highly sensitive and strategic territory whose fate is tied to the Kashmir question. Its elections directly impact Pakistan's democratic credibility and the broader Kashmir narrative. The 1987 elections in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir serve as a cautionary tale. Widespread allegations of rigging shattered public faith in the electoral process. Before that, many Kashmiris still saw hope in democratic politics. However, once trust in the ballot collapsed, the mood shifted dramatically. Large numbers of young people abandoned democratic politics, and the chant "Kashmir banega Pakistan" grew louder. That single disputed election altered the valley's political and security landscape, a cost India continues to bear.
Pakistan should learn from this lesson. If the world is to be convinced that Kashmiris deserve free and fair voting rights, then GB's elections must exemplify transparency, equal opportunity, and public trust. It is not enough for results to appear clean; the entire process must stand above suspicion. The Election Commission, judiciary, security institutions, and media all share this responsibility.
The Voter's Role
Voters in GB must also guard their ballot as a sacred trust, neither to be bought nor bullied. They should choose representatives who truly advocate for the region, because this vote is not just for the next five years. It will shape the future of generations to come. On June 7, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will make their voices heard. However, true success will not be measured by any party's win or loss. It will be measured by whether the electoral process itself restores public trust and demonstrates that, even in sensitive and contested territories, democracy remains the only lasting answer.
