The Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission on Friday announced the end of election campaigning 48 hours before polling day, prohibiting all election-related activities in the region, according to a press release.
The general elections for the GB’s legislative assembly are scheduled on June 7, after a four-month delay.
“The commission informs the public, political parties, candidates and their supporters that under Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct, no election-related activities will be allowed during the 48 hours preceding polling,” said the statement by the commission’s public affairs wing.
According to the law, no person would be permitted to organise, attend, promote or support any public meeting, rally, procession or gathering within the relevant constituency during this period, the statement added.
“In this regard, a complete ban on all election activities will come into effect from 12 midnight on June 5, 2026,” the press release said.
It further said that, following the enforcement of the ban, “holding or participating in election rallies, corner meetings, processions, campaign activities, the use of loudspeakers, or any form of canvassing” aimed at influencing voters would be “strictly prohibited”.
“The commission has directed all political parties, candidates, election agents and workers to ensure full compliance with election laws and the code of conduct. In case of violations, action will be taken under the Elections Act 2017 and other relevant laws,” it cautioned.
The statement further said that the election commission was making all necessary arrangements for the conduct of “peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections” and had appealed to the public to play a positive role in ensuring compliance with the law.
‘All arrangements finalised’
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan on Friday assured that all arrangements had been finalised for the June 7 elections, with strict security measures in place to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
Speaking to PTV News, Khan said the entire region was under strict security arrangements ahead of Sunday’s elections, adding that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure peaceful and smooth polling across constituencies. He added that election campaigning had ended peacefully.
“Strict action will be taken against any violation of the election code of conduct,” he warned, urging political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the code to maintain discipline and ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Meanwhile, returning officer for constituency GBA-12 (Shigar), Faisal Hayat, said voters were actively participating in the electoral process, reflecting strong public engagement across the constituency.
“Transport facilities have been arranged for polling day, while sensitive locations have been clearly identified to ensure effective monitoring and response,” Hayat said.
He added that the security deployment had been divided across three key points in the constituency, with around 120 personnel assigned to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process in Shigar.
“A policy of zero tolerance will be enforced to ensure peaceful elections,” he said, urging all stakeholders to extend their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the polling process.
Soon after the announcement of the election schedule, political parties, including the PML-N, PPP and PTI, began their election campaigns, holding public rallies, corner meetings and region-wide engagements.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari led their party’s campaign, vowing to ensure the constitutional rights of the region and to bring wide-ranging development projects based on public-private partnerships.
Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif also paid a one-day visit to the region, along with several party leaders, to address a public gathering and meet ticket-holders.
Meanwhile, the PTI, the main opposition party at the Centre, alleged unlawful and discriminatory treatment by the administration, claiming that several of its leaders had been expelled from the region, while others were denied entry.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with several other leaders, has been leading the campaign while also complaining about an “uneven playing field”.
