PPP’s Shah, IPP’s Malik face off again as voting under way for Diamer seat at 3 polling stations

In Gilgit, the political rivalry between PPP's Attaullah Shah and IPP's Imam Malik continues as they vie for the GBA-16 (Diamer-II) seat. Repolling is underway at three polling stations, where a total of 2,780 registered voters are eligible to participate. Voting will conclude by 5pm, with voters present at closing time permitted to cast their ballots.

Malik initially contested the June elections as an independent candidate but later joined the IPP. However, Shah filed a petition before an election tribunal, arguing that the returning officer had issued Form-49 without counting the postal ballots. The tribunal subsequently suspended Malik's membership, directing the RO to complete the verification and counting of postal ballot papers by September 16. Shah was ultimately declared the winner on September 14, with a margin of just 13 votes.

Malik contested the tribunal's decision before the GB Supreme Appellate Court, which dismissed his appeal on September 19, upholding the tribunal's ruling that Shah was the returned candidate. Malik then challenged the results at three polling stations, petitioning the election tribunal to order re-polling. The tribunal accepted his plea and suspended Shah's membership, directing the chief election commissioner to conduct re-polling within 12 days of November 6.