2015 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election

Last updated
2015 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Election
Flag of Gilgit-Baltistan.png
←  2009 June 8, 2015 (2015-06-08) 2020  →
All 24 directly elected seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly [lower-alpha 1]
13 seats needed for a majority
Registered618,364 [1]
Turnout61.29% [1]
 First partySecond partyThird party
  PMLN 2021 Flag.png Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan - Flag.PNG Tjp flag.jpg
Leader Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman Syed Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi
Party PML(N) MWM ITP
Leader's seat Gilgit-II (won)Did not contestDid not contest
Seats before200
Seats won2122
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 19Increase2.svg 2Increase2.svg 2
Popular vote129,52639,80018,491
Percentage34.17%10.50%4.88%
 Fourth partyFifth party
  Flag of Pakistan People's Party.svg Flag of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.svg
Leader Syed Mehdi Shah Not declared
Party PPP PTI
Leader's seat Skardu-I (lost)-
Seats before20Not contested
Seats won11
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 19Increase2.svg 1
Popular vote69,21642,101
Percentage18.26%11.11%
Gilgit Baltistan Assembly Election 2015 Map.png
Map of Gilgit Baltistan showing Assembly Constituencies and winning parties
Chief Minister before election

Syed Mehdi Shah
Pakistan Peoples Party

Elected Chief Minister

Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)

Contents

The 2015 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections were held on 8 June 2015. [2] Elections were held in 24 constituencies, each electing one member to the 2nd Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly. [3] [4] 269 candidates contested these elections, [1] either representing one of the political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan (at the time of the 2020 elections) or being an independent candidate. [1]

618,364 voters in Gilgit-Baltistan had the ability to exercise their right to vote in the elections and were able to vote across the province. [1] 329,475 of the people registered to vote were male and 288,889 were female (a gender gap of 8%). [5]

Background

In 1970, the Gilgit Agency, Baltistan District, and the princely states of Hunza and Nagar were merged into a single administrative unit, called the "Federally Administered Northern Areas", often shortened to "FANA", or "Northern Areas". The Northern Areas were governed directly from Islamabad through the "Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas". [6]

In 2009, the Government of Pakistan passed "The Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-governance Order, 2009, and the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari. This order renamed the Northern Areas as "Gilgit-Baltistan" and gave it a limited amount of internal autonomy within Pakistan and self-governance by allowing the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to have elections, where they could elect members of the "Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly". The position "Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan" was also made. The Assembly would have five-year-long terms. [7]

The first Gilgit-Baltistan elections were held in 2009, and the Pakistan Peoples Party, who then ruled at the federal level as well, won the election by a large margin and formed the government, [6] and Syed Mehdi Shah became the first Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Campaign and Polling

495 candidates from different political parties and Independents submitted their nomination papers out of which 50 nominations were rejected. 445 candidates took part in elections. Parties like Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party stood candidates on all 24 assembly seats. [8]

Polling took place on June 8, 2015 without any break from morning 8 am to evening 4 pm. Total number of 1143 polling stations were set up across the province. Out of 1143 polling stations, 282 were declared highly sensitive, while 269 polling stations were declared sensitive. About 5500 Military Soldiers along with 4356 policemen were deployed to perform security duties to make peaceful polling across the province. [9] [10]

Results

Pakistan Muslim League (N) emerged as the majority party by winning 15 out of 24 general seats. Taking into account the 4 out of 6 women seats and 2 out of 3 technocrat seats that they successfully gained, their seats increased to 21. They won a lopsided majority in the assembly.

Gilgit Baltistan assembly.svg
PartyVotes%Seats
GeneralWomenTechnocratTotal+/–
Pakistan Muslim League (N) 129,52634.17154221+18
Pakistan Peoples Party 69,21618.261001–19
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 42,10111.111001+1
Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen 39,80010.502103+3
Islami Tehreek Pakistan 18,4914.882114+4
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) 11,1482.941001–3
Balawaristan National Front (Naji) 5,2591.391001–
All Pakistan Muslim League 4,4851.180000New
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan 3,2370.850000–1
Muttahida Qaumi Movement 5910.160000–1
Other parties5,8421.540000–
Independents49,33613.021001–3
Total379,032100.002463330
Registered voters/turnout618,364–
Source: ECGB

Aftermath

The newly elected assembly members took oath on 24 June 2015. [11] Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman was elected as 2nd Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan unopposed. He took oath on 26 June 2015. [12]

Notes

  1. ↑ There are 33 seats total in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Six seats are reserved for women, three seats are reserved for technocrats, and these nine seats are allocated using proportional representation. More information on the allocation of these seats is given in the section "Government formation" of this article.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balawaristan</span> Historic region of Pakistan

Balawaristan, is a term used for the historical region forming present-day Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. The modern term was coined by the political party Balawaristan National Front, founded by Nawaz Khan Naji, in 1989. But it has its roots in the historical names Broshal, Dardistan and Bolor or Boloristan, with documented usage in Chinese sources from the 8th century AD. According to the present day activists, 'Balawaristan' includes Chitral, Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ishkoman, Punial and Yasin. The leader of BNF Nawaz Khan Naji declared that Balawaristan (Gilgit-Baltistan) is not part of Kashmir region and wants integration with Pakistan as a fifth province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balawaristan National Front</span> Political organization in Pakistan

The Balawaristan National Front is a defunct political party which sought Independence for Gilgit-Baltistan, claimed as Balawaristan, as well as claims in certain regions of the Indian-Administered Kashmir, Kargil and Ladakh, as part of its historical territory.

The chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan is elected by the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly to serve as the head of the provincial government in Gilgit-Baltistan for a five-year term.

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan is the government of the administrative territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Its powers and structure are set out in the 2009 Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, in which 14 districts come under its authority and jurisdiction. The government includes the cabinet, selected from members the Gilgit–Baltistan Assembly, and the non-political civil staff within each department. The province is governed by a unicameral legislature with the head of government known as the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, invariably the leader of a political party represented in the Assembly, selects members of the Cabinet. The Chief Minister and Cabinet are thus responsible the functioning of government and are entitled to remain in office so long as it maintains the confidence of the elected Assembly. The head of state of the province is known as the Governor. The terms Government of Gilgit–Baltistan or Gilgit–Baltistan Government are often used in official documents. The seat of government is in Gilgit, thus serving as the capital of the territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman</span> Pakistani politician (born 1969)

Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman is a Pakistani politician who served as the 2nd Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory in Northern Pakistan and also leader of Pakistan's conservative political party PML-N, in Gilgit-Baltistan. He served in office from 26 June 2015 to 23 June 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GBA-24 (Ghanche-III)</span>

GBLA-24 (Ghanche-III) is a constituency of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly which is currently represented by Engr Muhammad Ismail of Pakistan Peoples Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free and Fair Election Network</span>

Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) is the first-ever network of civil society networks in Pakistan dedicated to strengthening democracy through methodically-enacted observation and oversight of electoral, parliamentary, and governance processes. As many as 20 regional networks of over 500 tehsil-level civil society organizations are part of FAFEN, establishing its unmatched outreach to communities of people belonging to all classes, ethnicities, and religions across Pakistan. FAFEN’s work since its inception in 2006, has made it one of the most credible voices in the country for responsive, transparent, accountable, and efficient electoral, legislative, and local governance.So far, FAFEN has observed the General Elections in 2008, 2013 and 2018, Local Government Elections in 2015, and Legislative Assembly Elections in Gilgit-Baltistan in 2009 and 2015, with active support of its partner organizations as well as duly accreditation from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). FAFEN has earned an excellent reputation among various stakeholders, including the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and has been recognized as an authentic organization among political parties, civil society organizations, international community, academia, and the media. After the General Elections 2013 various political parties levelled multiple charges of rigging, on which the Supreme Court of Pakistan had formed a Judicial Commission to investigate the matter. FAFEN was the only civil society organization, which was summoned by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to share its election observation findings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election</span> Election in Gilgit-Baltistan

Elections were held on 12 November 2009 in the province of Gilgit-Baltistan for the first time to elect the first Assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election</span> Legislative assembly elections held in the Pakistani-administered territory of Gilgit-Baltistan

The 2020 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections were held on 15 November 2020. Elections were held in 24 constituencies, each electing one member to the 3rd Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly. 330 candidates contested these elections, either representing one of the political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan or being an independent candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islami Tehreek Pakistan</span> Political party in Pakistan

Islami Tehreek Pakistan commonly known as ITP is a Pakistani political party founded by Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi in 2012. The party's symbol are two swords. It is mostly active in Gilgit-Baltistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly</span> Unicameral legislature of a Pakistani territory

The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly (GBA), officially known as Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA), is a unicameral legislature of elected representatives of the Pakistani territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is located in Jutial neighbourhood in the city of Gilgit, the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. It was established under the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order in 2009 which granted the region self-rule and an elected legislature, having a total of 33 seats, with 24 general seats, 6 seats reserved for women and 3 reserved for Technocrats and Professionals.

Raja Azam Khan Amacha is a Pakistani politician and has been a member of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly since November 2020. He became Head of the ruling family of the former princely state of Shigar after the death of his father Raja Muhammad Ali Shah Saba. He is the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for the position of Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Muhammad Khalid Khurshid Khan is the President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Gilgit-Baltistan who served as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory in Northern Pakistan until he was disqualified from his post on 4 July 2023 by the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court. He was also a member of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly from 25 November 2020 until his disqualification.

Javaid Ali Manwa is a Pakistani politician who has been a member of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly since November 2020.

Nawaz Khan Naji is a nationalist politician who is a member of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly since 2011. He elected 3rd time and completed heat trek. He was born in a village, Sherqilla, in Ghizer District. He graduated in political science from Karachi University Sindh. He came back to Gilgit-Baltistan and founded his own nationalist political party, Balawaristan National Front, on 28 December 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balawaristan National Front (Naji)</span> Political party in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

The Balawaristan National Front, more commonly known as the BNF, is a Pakistani political party of Gilgit-Baltistan.It was founded by Nawaz Khan Naji in 1989. The party calls for Gilgit-Baltistan to be given autonomy while still remaining a part of the Pakistani federation, and to be declared the fifth province of Pakistan.

Elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, a Semi-Province of Pakistan are held according to Gilgit-Baltistan 2009 Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan is responsible of conducting elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. Since this order came into power, three Provincial Elections have been conducted.

The Election Commission Gilgit-Baltistan is an independent, autonomous, permanent and constitutionally established body responsible for organizing and conducting elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and local governments, Gilgit-Baltistan Council, as well as the delimitation of constituencies and preparation of electoral rolls.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "ELECTIONS 2015 - RESULT OF ELECTION, 2015". ELECTION COMMISSION GB. ELECTION COMMISSION GILGIT-BALTISTAN. 2015. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Mahmud, Ershad (7 June 2015). "The battle for Gilgit-Baltistan". The battle for Gilgit-Baltistan | thenews.com.pk. The News International. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  3. ↑ "Members". Members - Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "Election Commission Gilgit-Baltistan". Election Commission GB. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  5. ↑ Amir Wasim (9 November 2020). "Gender gap among GB voters widens: Fafen". Gender gap among GB voters widens: Fafen - Pakistan - DAWN.COM. DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  6. 1 2 "GB Elections 2020: Who is likely to win?". GB Elections 2020: Who is likely to win? - Global Village Space. Global Village Space. 2 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "AN ORDER" (PDF). TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE. GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN MINISTRY OF KASHMIR AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN AREAS. 9 September 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  8. ↑ "Political parties announce candidates for GB elections | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
  9. ↑ "GB Legislative Assembly elections today". www.thenews.com.pk. 2015-06-07. Archived from the original on 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
  10. ↑ "Abbtakk.tv: Latest News Breaking Pakistan, World, Live Videos". Abb Takk News. Archived from the original on 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
  11. ↑ Tribune.com.pk (2015-06-25). "Maiden session: 33 members of G-B Assembly take oath". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  12. ↑ Correspondent, The Newspaper's (2015-06-27). "Hafeezur Rehman sworn in as new GB chief minister". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2019-07-21. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.