Schedule announced for polls in Gilgit Baltistan

GILGIT: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Gilgit Baltistan has announced the schedule for elections in the federally-administered area,

A notification issued by the CEC states that the returning officers (RO) would issue a public notice for nomination papers on 7^th July 07, while the last date of filing nominations will be 16^th July.

The provisional list of candidates would be published on 17^th July while 23rd July is the last date for scrutiny of the nomination papers. An appeal against the decision of the RO could be made till 27^th July and appellate tribunals would decide on the appeal by 3^rd August.

The final list of the candidates would be published on 4^th August while nomination papers could be withdrawn by 5^th August. The candidates would be allotted election symbols on 6^th August. The chief election commissioner announced that the polling would be on 18^th August.

President Arif Alvi announced fresh polls in the Gilgit Baltistan on 18^th August after the constitutional mandate of the assembly lapsed.

The Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly was dissolved after it completed its five-year tenure on 24th June. The president announced to hold polls under a caretaker government.

The federal government appointed Mir Afzal, former deputy inspector general of police (DIG) as the caretaker chief minister of the region.

Meanwhile, caretaker Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Mir Afzal Khan allotted portfolios to the newly-appointed cabinet members.

Aftab Ismail Khan Minister Planning and Development, Syed Sarwar Shah, Forest and Information, Shaukat Rashid works, Sheikh Nasir Hussain agriculture, livestock and fisheries. Muhammad Ali Khan, excise taxation and social welfare.

Muhammad Yasin law and justice, Syed Shabiul Hasnain local government and rural development, Muhammad Ali Quaid minerals industries and commerce, Johar Ali, Water and Power, Dr Rajab Ali food, Imam Yar Baig health and Abdul Jehan, education.

Waqar Abbas will serve as Advisor to CM on Finance and Samina Baig advisor to CM on tourism, sports and culture.