GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan has invalidated the by-election results for GB Assembly constituency 13, Astore-1, ordering a fresh election in the constituency.

The by-election, held on Sept 9 last year, became necessary after former chief minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was disqualified in a fake degree case by a three-member bench of the GB Chief Court on July 4.

The provisional results showed PTI’s Mohammad Khurshid Khan securing 6,164 votes, followed by PML-N’s Farman Ali with 4,899 votes and PPP’s Abdul Hameed Khan with 4,125 votes. Mr Khurshid is the father of the disqualified former CM Khalid Khurshid.

Mr Ali challenged the results, alleging rigging, and urged the election commission to halt the announcement. The CEC restrained the DRO from declaring the results and formed an inquiry commission. After conducting a hearing, Mr Shahbaz announced the verdict on Thursday.

The order stated that the enquiry committee found proof of corrupt practices and violations of the Election Act, 2017, the rules, and the code of conduct. Based on the findings, the commissioner declared the polls void. A re-election in the constituency will be scheduled and announced later.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2024