Pakistan holds assembly polls in Gilgit region
Pakistan said India should avoid “interference” in its internal affairs
Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday went ahead with the holding of legislative assembly elections in Gilgit-Baltistan despite India’s objections to the polls.
It is the second time Pakistan is holding polls to elect a regional legislature after devolution of powers in 2009 which changed the region’s name from Northern Areas to Gilgit-Baltistan and provided it with a local assembly.
Reacting strongly to the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, India last week had said it is an attempt by Pakistan to “camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation” of the regions which are integral part of the country.
But Pakistan had rejected India’s stand and said India should avoid “interference” in its internal affairs. The polling for the 24 seats of the legislative assembly started at 8 am (local time) this morning.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said, there are about 618,364 registered voters, including 288,889 women. A total of 272 candidates are contesting the elections from all major parties of Pakistan.