EC postpones GB local govt elections for seven days

The Election Commission (EC) of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has postponed the local government elections by seven days.

The Election Commission took this step after the provincial government requested additional time to review proposed amendments to the Gilgit-Baltistan Local Government Act, 2014.

Chief Election Commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan Raja Shahbaz Khan issued the order after the government sought time to examine the proposed legal changes and complete the required legislative process.

The election schedule was originally issued through a notification dated June 3, 2026. A subsequent notification issued on June 15 set September 27, 2026 as the polling date.

According to the Election Commission, the Gilgit-Baltistan government formally approached it on August 13, requesting around seven days to consider amendments to relevant provisions of the Local Government Act and complete the necessary legislation.

The commission said it had accepted the request and postponed all remaining stages of the election programme that fall within the seven-day period.

Those activities will now be rescheduled, with the revised dates to be included in a new election programme.

After the seven-day period, the Election Commission will issue a revised schedule in light of any amendments made to the relevant provisions of the 2014 law.

The commission has directed District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and other election officials to conduct future activities according to the revised programme.

Raja Shahbaz Khan said the local government elections would be conducted in a transparent, organised and impartial manner, in accordance with the Constitution, applicable laws and established electoral procedures.

The commission also said information about the revised schedule and new dates would be communicated to the public and relevant electoral institutions in a timely manner.

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