Though the polling for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, where 334 candidates are contesting for the 24 general seats, was marred by power breakdowns and hampered by snowfall, the absence of casualties amid generally peaceable voting is not just a cause of satisfaction for the caretaker government of the province, but for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole. The province being given self-government only a decade ago, these polls are the third, and have received much more attention than previous ones mainly because Gilgit-Baltistan has become the main battlefield for the PTI government and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). A complicating factor is that the two main components of the PDM, the PPP and the PML(N) both had won a majority in previous elections, and have successively formed the government. Both had won elections in Gilgit-Baltistan when in power at the centre, and their main opponent is the PTI, which is presently in office in Islamabad.
That raises one of the more contentious issues of the whole campaign, which is the role of the establishment. The readiness to accept results is also going to be a test of how much democracy has penetrated, but at the same time, it is not just undemocratic, but downright unfair to ask losers to accept results that might be manipulated into going against the wishes of the voter. Another issue that arose since the last election is the increased Indian attention to it, because it will be a main component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Not only is it a disputed territory, but it also previously contained the only areas which Pakistan handed over to China. It is also the first election to be held after the Indian abolition of Kashmir’s special status, and the clampdown in the Valley.
Though the election is not just about local issues, but seems to involve a number of old electoral rivalries, it is being seen as a kind of referendum on the federal government as well. This may not be completely unfair, for it should not be forgotten that if anything, federal policies impinge more heavily on Gilgit-Baltistan than on full-fledged provinces.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/11/15/gilgit-baltistan-elections/
Gilgit-Baltistan elections : Editorial in Pakistan Today, , Nov 16th, 2020
Though the polling for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, where 334 candidates are contesting for the 24 general seats, was marred by power breakdowns and hampered by snowfall, the absence of casualties amid generally peaceable voting is not just a cause of satisfaction for the caretaker government of the province, but for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole. The province being given self-government only a decade ago, these polls are the third, and have received much more attention than previous ones mainly because Gilgit-Baltistan has become the main battlefield for the PTI government and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). A complicating factor is that the two main components of the PDM, the PPP and the PML(N) both had won a majority in previous elections, and have successively formed the government. Both had won elections in Gilgit-Baltistan when in power at the centre, and their main opponent is the PTI, which is presently in office in Islamabad.
That raises one of the more contentious issues of the whole campaign, which is the role of the establishment. The readiness to accept results is also going to be a test of how much democracy has penetrated, but at the same time, it is not just undemocratic, but downright unfair to ask losers to accept results that might be manipulated into going against the wishes of the voter. Another issue that arose since the last election is the increased Indian attention to it, because it will be a main component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Not only is it a disputed territory, but it also previously contained the only areas which Pakistan handed over to China. It is also the first election to be held after the Indian abolition of Kashmir’s special status, and the clampdown in the Valley.
Though the election is not just about local issues, but seems to involve a number of old electoral rivalries, it is being seen as a kind of referendum on the federal government as well. This may not be completely unfair, for it should not be forgotten that if anything, federal policies impinge more heavily on Gilgit-Baltistan than on full-fledged provinces.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/11/15/gilgit-baltistan-elections/
Published in Pak Media comment and Pakistan