Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shehbaz Khan has said that Gilgit Baltistan General Elections will be held on January 24, 2026 while the date of local bodies elections will be announced soon. Chief Election Commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan Raja Shahbaz issued the election schedule. The candidates will submit their nomination papers from December 15 to December 22. The lists of candidates who have submitted their nomination papers will be displayed on December 23. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be completed by December 30. An appeal against the rejection of nomination papers or the decision of the Returning Officer will be filed by January 3. Appeals filed regarding nomination papers will be decided by January 10. The final list of candidates will be released on January 11. Candidates will be able to withdraw their nomination papers on January 12. He said election symbols will be allotted to candidates on January 13 and polling will take place on Saturday, January 24. Candidates for reserved seats in Gilgit-Baltistan will also follow the relevant schedule. Chief Election Commissioner said elections in Gilgit-Baltistan will be transparent and all out arrangements will be completed on time. Raja Shahbaz Khan said complete coordination will be ensured among all relevant departments for transparency, security and fair process. Moreover, Election Commission Gilgit-Baltistan has appointed District Ratings Officers. The notification for the appointment of DROs has been issued. Session judges will perform the responsibilities of election DROs in Gilgit-Baltistan. In the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, judges within 9 districts will perform the duties of DDE Education DRO in Shigar District. District and Sessions Judge Amir Hamza appointed District Returning Officer of Gilgit District. District and Sessions Judge Khursheed Ahmed appointed District Returning Officer of Skardu District. District and Sessions Judge Sohail Ahmed Khan will perform the duties of DRO in Diamer district. District and Sessions Judge Luqman Hakim will be the DRO of Ghizer district. District and Sessions Judge Minhaj Ali Raja will perform the duties in Astore district. District and Sessions Judge Nizamuddin appointed DRO in Hunza district, District and Sessions Judge Minhas Hussain appointed in Nagar district, District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Ishaq will perform the duties of DRO in Ganchhe district, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Sharif appointed DRO in Kharmang district and DDE Education Manzoor Hussain will perform election duties in Shigar district.
