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Gilgit-Baltistan Elections Set for January 24, 2026 After Assembly Completes Full Five-Year Term
Gilgit-Baltistan will head to the polls on January 24, 2026, as announced by the GB Council. The Assembly completed its five-year term last month, paving the way for fresh elections under the GB Order 2018.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-12
Gilgit-Baltistan Elections Set for January 24, 2026 After Assembly Completes Full Five-Year Term

Elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly will be held on January 24, 2026, according to a notification issued on Friday by the GB Council. The announcement comes after the assembly completed its five-year constitutional term last month.

The notification stated that the poll date had been announced by the President of Pakistan under Article 48-A(1) of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, read with Section 57(1) of the Election Act 2017.

Following the expiry of the elected government’s tenure, retired judge Yar Muhammad has been appointed as the caretaker chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan to oversee the transition and ensure fair and transparent elections.

Under the GB Order 2018, general elections must be conducted within 60 days of the assembly’s dissolution or expiry of its term.

Assembly Composition

The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly comprises 33 seats, including:

  • 24 general seats
  • 3 seats reserved for women
  • 3 seats reserved for technocrats

Background of the Previous Five-Year Term

The last elections in Gilgit-Baltistan were held on November 15, 2020, across 24 constituencies. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) formed the government, and Khalid Khurshid was elected chief minister.

In July 2023, the GB Chief Court disqualified Khurshid from office, leading to political shifts within the region. A new coalition government — consisting of PTI’s disgruntled members, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — elected Haji Gulbar Khan as the new chief minister.

Over the past five years, the assembly passed 63 Acts, including key legislation on land reforms as well as six federal laws extended to the region. Additionally, lawmakers adopted 114 resolutions, addressing issues ranging from governance reforms to calls for granting Gilgit-Baltistan the status of a provisional province of Pakistan.

With the election date now set, political activity in the region is expected to intensify as parties prepare for a significant electoral contest in early 2026.
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PakistanPolitics

GilgitBaltistan

GBElections

GBAssembly
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