Key Takeaways
- The Gilgit-Baltistan election tribunal suspended Malik Imam’s membership in GBA-16 Diamer-II.
- The tribunal directed a recount of postal ballots and ordered the RO to complete the verification by September 16.
- The decision declared the June 16, 2025, result illegal for not including postal ballots.
A Gilgit-Baltistan election tribunal has suspended the membership of Malik Imam, a member of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP), from the GB Assembly constituency of GBA-16 Diamer-II. The decision was made following a petition filed by PPP candidate Attaullah Khan challenging the election result.
The tribunal, presided over by Judge Mushtaq Ahmed, directed the Returning Officer (RO) of the constituency to complete the verification and counting of postal ballot papers by September 16. This action was taken after PPP candidate Attaullah Khan challenged the issuance of the election result in the constituency, arguing that the RO had issued a provisional result without counting the postal ballots.
The tribunal’s decision was based on the argument that the RO had no authority to issue a provisional consolidated result. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had declared Malik, who was an independent candidate at the time, the winner. Malik later joined the IPP.
The tribunal issued a preliminary order to ensure strict compliance with the mandatory statutory requirement under Section 95 of the Elections Act 2017, read with Rule 85 of the Elections Rules 2017. This requirement mandates the issuance of the final consolidated result after the verification and counting of postal ballots.
The tribunal directed that the postal ballot papers be opened in the presence of the parties or their duly authorised agents. A senior civil judge, Fahad Bin Naqeeb, and an assistant registrar, Raja Mir, along with the assisting team of the tribunal, would remain present throughout the result consolidation proceedings to ensure transparency and judicial oversight.
The tribunal also directed the police to make stringent and foolproof security arrangements at the venue. Upon completion of the verification and counting, the RO would prepare and issue the final consolidated result, Form-49, and submit it to the CEC. The CEC would then issue a fresh declaration of the returned candidate based on this final result.
The entire exercise was to be concluded within five days, including Sunday, September 13, from the date of the order. The tribunal declared the final consolidated result of the constituency, dated June 16, 2025, illegal for not including the postal ballot papers. Malik’s membership was also suspended until the completion of the final consolidated result.
The decision aims to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, addressing the concerns raised by the petitioners and ensuring that all votes are accounted for.
