GILGIT, Oct 2 The intending candidate obtained nomination papers to take part in the forthcoming elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly scheduled on Nov 12.

“Nomination papers are being issued from all constituencies but there was no submission of any form today,” Election Commissioner Zafar Waqar Taj told Dawn here on Friday.

However, he was optimistic that there would be enough candidates in view of the tendency shown in getting nomination papers. He said that Oct 3 (Saturday) would be the last day to submit nomination papers.

Sources in the Election Commission told this scribe that almost all former law-makers had obtained nomination papers.

Some people observed that the recent incidents of violence had dimmed the hustle and bustle of electioneering, and political activities in Gilgit, the capital city of Gilgit-Baltistan.

There was low attendance at government and private offices. The local markets had low business trend, people claimed.

Our Correspondent from Hunza adds The intending candidates from Hunza have criticised the local administration for not ensuring timely availability of electoral lists in the office of Returning Officer Hunza.

Over 18 candidates have drawn nomination papers till Friday evening. They included Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Atiqa Ghazanfar, Saleem Khan, Sher Yar Khan.

From PPP Hunza platform Lal Hussain, Abuzar Khan, Naik Nam, Fida Karim, Hajat Mohammad, Ghulam Abbas and Daulat Karim whereas Zafar Iqbal, Kamil Jan, Imam Dad, Arif Hussain, Shah Khan, Bahadur Khan and Shahbaz Khan have drawn papers as independent candidates.

The candidates would file their nomination papers on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the All Hunza Action Committee has announced a public sit-in in front of the office of the returning officer in order to stop the candidates from filing their nomination papers.

“We have asked the local administration to ensure security on the occasion of elections,” a candidate told this scribe.

He said forcefully stopping people from the election process was not a democratic norm and if the “action committee claims representing the people, then they should contest the elections”.