GILGIT: After a gap of 20 years, the Gilgit-Baltistan chief election commissioner on Monday announced the holding of local government (LG) elections in the region for February next year. Separately, the GB Election Com­mission convened a multiparty conference (MPC) on Dec 18 to consult political parties on the general elections scheduled for Jan 24 next year. According to the schedule issued by the GB Election Commission, polling for LG elections will be held on Feb 14. In this regard, a public notice will be issued on Dec 19, while nomination papers can be filed from Dec 22 to 26. In a statement, CEC Raja Shahbaz Khan said LG elections in GB were the need of the hour and that the election commission was fully prepared and committed to conducting the polls. Election commission to convene MPC on 18th for consultation on next month general elections He said LG elections had not been held in the region for the past 20 years and that their conduct would help resolve public issues at the grassroots level, enabling citizens to secure rights at their doorsteps. CEC Khan described LG elections as a milestone for strengthening democratic institutions and promoting development in the region, saying local governments play a key role in any democratic system. He said the elections would provide people with an opportunity to directly participate in decision-making and local development, adding that the election commission was determined to hold the polls in a clean, transparent, fair and lawful manner. Multiparty conference Meanwhile, the GB Election Commission has convened the MPC at 11am on Dec 18 (Thursday) at its secretariat to consult political parties on the holding of general elections scheduled for Jan 24. CEC Khan expressed the hope all political parties in Gilgit-Baltistan, or their authorised representatives, would participate in the conference. The purpose of the meeting was to seek views, suggestions and guidance on key electoral matters to make the process more effective, transparent and in line with democratic principles, he added. He asked the leaders of all political parties to attend the consultative meeting and share their valuable views and suggestions with the election commission. He reaffirmed the commission’s determination to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections with the cooperation of all stakeholders. Due to harsh weather conditions in the region, sources said, political party leaders had already opposed the holding of the general elections on Jan 24. While the MPC is expected to demand a delay in the polls until May, the election commission in such scenario is considering to hold the general and local government elections simultaneously, the sources added. Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025