GILGIL, Oct 12: In a major upset, government-backed candidates are facing defeat, trailing behind Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians and independent candidates in many constituencies in the Northern Areas Legislative Council elections held on Tuesday. Independents are said to be faring well in many areas.

According to partial results reaching Gilgit late on Tuesday night, PPP candidates are leading in seven constituencies followed by independents who are leading in six constituencies.

Polling for the 24-seat Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) was held peacefully in all the five districts. Only a minor case of violence was reported from the Rondu area of Baltistan.

The Election Commissioner, Muhammad Ghazi Khan, told Dawn that the polling started at 8am and continued till 4pm without any break. The turnout was 30 to 35 per cent.

In 17 constituencies from where partial results were received, the PPP managed to win 7 seats, PML-N, 2, independents 4 and the ruling PML 4. Results from 7 constituencies were awaited. PPP had fielded candidates in 17 constituencies, PML in all the 24 constituencies, JUI-F in 6, PML-N in 7, and JI in 1. A record number of 73 independents were contesting.

According to partial results, two former advisers, Shaikh Ghulam Haider Najfi and Haji Janbaz Khan, and Northern Areas Legislative Council deputy speaker Muhammad Jafar were behind their rivals.