{
  "id": 5731225,
  "title": "Skardu by-election: Polling underway at 61 polling stations amid tight security",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/skardu-by-election-polling-underway-at-61-polling-stations-amid-tight-5731225",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T06:25:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2027668/skardu-by-election-polling-underway-at-61-polling-stations-amid-tight-security"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The GBA-09 (Skardu-III) constituency in Gilgit commenced polling today at 61 polling stations, as per the state broadcaster PTV. With 33,985 registered voters, the by-election saw special security arrangements in place. The election was announced by the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission following the disqualification of PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad by the GB Supreme Appellate Court. Nashad's son, Akhtar Abbas, is contesting on the PPP ticket, while Mohammad Ajmal represents the PML-N. Additionally, former minister Mohammad Saleem, contesting as an independent, is among the 10 candidates who filed their nomination papers.\n\nAnalysts predict a close contest between the PPP's Abbas and the independent candidate Saleem, who could benefit from public sympathy following Nashad's disqualification. District Returning Officer Hamza Murad informed Dawn that GBA-09 had 61 polling stations, categorized as sensitive (Category A), medium-sensitive (Category B), and normal (Category C).",
  "summary": "GILGIT: Polling is currently underway at 61 polling stations in the GBA-09 (Skardu-III) constituency amid tight security. The process began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. State broadcaster PTV said 33,985 voters would exercise their right to franchise, adding that special security arrangement had been made for the occasion. The by-election was announced by the Gilgit-Baltistan Election…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Skardu by-election: Polling underway at 61 polling stations amid tight security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/skardu-by-election-polling-underway-at-61-polling-stations-amid-tight",
        "published": "2026-09-05T06:25:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}