Protests block Karakoram Highway for third day over re-polling, delayed GB poll results

GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Protests blocking the Karakoram Highway in Diamer and other areas continued for a third day against the repolling and delay in the announcement of official results in various constituencies. Yesterday, the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission ordered re-polling on polling stations in Skardu-II (GBA-8), Astore-I (GBA-13), Diamer-I (GBA-15), Diamer-II (GBA-16) and Diamer-III (GBA-17) and directed that the results of the June 7 election must not be consolidated until re-polling in five constituencies is completed. Supporters of PPP candidate Attaullah from GBA-16 Diamer-II staged a protest outside the district returning officer’s office in Chilas, blocking the Karakoram Highway and demanding the counting of postal ballots and the announcement of the constituency’s final result without delay, as well as the cancellation of re-polling at three polling stations. The Karakoram Highway has remained closed to all traffic for the third day. Travellers between Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of the country faced difficulties and used Babusar Road and other alternative routes. However, on Wednesday, protesters temporarily reopened the highway for two hours to allow stranded passengers to pass. Protesters said the protest would continue until the official results were issued “transparently”. Speaking to the media, PPP candidate Attaullah said polling was held on June 7 in the presence of all agents and that Form 45 was issued. “Form 47 was also prepared on the basis of Form 45; now only the counting of postal ballots remains,” he said. He said that ordering re-polling by delaying the counting of postal ballots was “unacceptable” under any circumstances. Attaullah alleged that an attempt was being made to snatch the public mandate in GBA-16 Diamer-II. According to Form 47, independent candidate Imam Malik’s votes were shown to be 24 more than those of the PPP candidate. However, according to official figures, Imam Malik has 180 postal votes while Attaullah of t