PPP's Attaullah Shah Claims Narrow Victory in Diamer-II Seat

In a closely contested election, Attaullah Shah from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged victorious for the GBA-16 (Diamer-II) seat in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The announcement came after the thorough counting and verification of postal ballots were completed on Monday.

Shah received a total of 6,618 votes, edging out his nearest competitor, Imam Malik of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP), by a mere 13 votes. This victory follows a tumultuous electoral process where Malik, originally running as an independent candidate, faced a suspension of his membership after Shah challenged the initial results, claiming that postal ballots had not been counted.

Court Involvement and Postal Ballot Counting

The Election Commission initially declared Malik the winner, but following the tribunal's intervention on September 11, the counting of postal ballots was mandated. The tribunal's order also led to Malik’s suspension from his position. The counting process commenced on Sunday under strict security measures, with candidates required to be present, which Malik and another candidate, Muhammad Anwar from PML-N, failed to comply with.

Celebrations and Appeals

As the counting concluded, supporters of both candidates gathered outside the Election Commission Secretariat. Malik’s supporters maintained a vigil throughout the night, while PPP supporters celebrated Shah's victory, distributing sweets and chanting slogans. Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court is set to hear Malik's appeal regarding his suspended membership later today, with Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan presiding over the case.

Source: www.dawn.com