In a closely contested by-election held in GBA-09 Skardu-III, Akhtar Abbas Nashad, representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 455 votes, according to preliminary unofficial results.
Nashad garnered a total of 8,040 votes, while his closest competitor, independent candidate Wazir Mohammad Saleem, received 7,585 votes.
Background of the By-Election
The by-election was necessitated following the disqualification of PPP’s Fida Muhammad Nashad by the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court. Fida had previously been declared the winner in the general elections held in June.
In this election, 33,985 voters were registered, comprising 17,658 men and 15,868 women, who participated in the voting process on Saturday.
Election Dynamics and Candidates
Akhter Abbas contested as the PPP candidate, while Mohammad Ajmal represented the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The election saw a total of ten candidates, with former minister Mohammad Saleem running as an independent.
To ensure a peaceful electoral process, over 800 police personnel and members of the GB Scouts were deployed across the constituency. Reports indicated that the polling was conducted smoothly without any significant disturbances.
Local Observations and Security Measures
The Skardu district magistrate declared a local holiday to facilitate voters and ensure a seamless voting experience. This decision aimed to promote the civic duty of voting and maintain order during the polls.
Political analysts had predicted a tight race between Nashad and Saleem, noting that Nashad’s connection to his father’s legacy could play a crucial role in securing votes. Additionally, public sympathy following Fida Nashad’s disqualification may have influenced the outcome.
According to District Returning Officer (DRO) Hamza Murad, the constituency comprised 61 polling stations, with 25 categorized as sensitive, 11 as medium-sensitive, and the remaining 25 as normal.
