Re-polling held at 3 stations in GB's Diamer as PPP, IPP candidates vie for seat

GILGIT: Repolling took place at three voting stations in GBA-16 (Diamer-II) constituency of Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday. The political contestants, Attaullah Shah from the PPP and Imam Malik from the IPP, were competing once again for the seat. Voting commenced at 8 am and concluded by 5 pm. Dr Maria, the polling officer, informed Dawn that Malik had reportedly assaulted a female polling officer at the Sarai station during the process.

There were a few minor disturbances, but the overall situation was under control. Post-polling, supporters of Shah took to the streets in Chilas and Gilgit of Diamer district protesting the alleged removal of ballot boxes from a women's polling station in Thore Valley. They staged demonstrations near Chilas on the Karakoram Highway and outside the GB Assembly hall in Gilgit, blocking roads with burnt tyres.

Rehman Deralo alleged that Malik and his associates had entered a polling station, removed ballot boxes and other polling materials. The police and GB Election Commission officials were contacted for clarification. The two candidates, Malik and Shah, initially contested the June election in Gilgit-Baltistan as independents but later Malik joined the IPP.

The Election Commission had initially declared Malik as the returned candidate, but his membership was suspended in September after Shah filed a petition before an election tribunal. The tribunal ordered Malik's membership suspension pending completion of verification and counting of postal ballots. Malik secured 6,618 votes while Shah won with 6,605 votes.

Malik challenged the tribunal's decision in the GB Supreme Appellate Court, which dismissed his appeal on September 19 upholding the suspension and the declaration of Shah as the returned candidate. Malik further challenged the results at three polling stations and petitioned the election tribunal to order re-polling. The tribunal accepted the plea and suspended Shah's membership, directing the Chief Election Commissioner to conduct re-polling within 12 days of November 6.