Key Takeaways
- PPP candidate Akhtar Abbas and independent candidate Mohammad Saleem are expected to contest the by-election.
- GB Supreme Appellate Court disqualified Fida Muhammad Nashad, who had been a returned candidate in June polls.
- 33,000 voters will cast their ballots from 8am to 5pm on Saturday.
A close contest is expected in the upcoming by-election in the GBA-09 (Skardu-III) constituency, where PPP candidate Akhtar Abbas and independent candidate Mohammad Saleem are set to face off against each other.
The by-election is being held after the GB Supreme Appellate Court disqualified Fida Muhammad Nashad, who had been a returned candidate in the June polls. Nashad’s son, Akhtar Abbas, will now contest the elections on PPP’s ticket.
Mohammad Ajmal, representing the PML-N, will also be in the race, alongside former minister Mohammad Saleem, who is contesting as an independent.
According to the election schedule, 33,000 voters will cast their ballots, with polling running from 8am to 5pm on Saturday.
GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan has assured that all necessary arrangements, including security and deployment of polling staff, have been completed for the by-election.
Khan expressed his determination to conduct ‘transparent, impartial and peaceful’ elections and provided voters with the facilities to cast their vote without fear.
Analysts predict a close contest between the PPP candidate and the independent candidate, citing the PPP’s retained vote bank and public sympathy after Nashad’s disqualification.
The district returning officer, Hamza Murad, has confirmed that all arrangements and the security plan have been finalised, with personnel from GB Police, GB Scouts, and the armed forces deployed accordingly.
GB-09 has a total of 61 polling stations, with 25 declared sensitive in Category A, 11 termed medium under Category B, and another 25 deemed normal in Category C.
Shakoor Abdullah, a local journalist, reported that voters in the constituency are enthusiastic to use their right to vote.
