Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan: Polling began on Sunday for Gilgit-Baltistan elections to 24 regional assembly seats amid tight security across the region.
The Election Commission said voting started at 8 a.m. and will continue without a break until 5 p.m.
A total of 958,480 registered voters are eligible to cast ballots. More than 400 candidates are contesting the elections across Gilgit-Baltistan.
Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz visited polling stations to review arrangements and monitor voting.
He said polling started on time and was proceeding smoothly across the region. The Election Commission set up 1,391 polling stations in all districts.
It classified 488 polling stations as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive. Diamer has the highest number of highly sensitive polling stations, with 119.
The Pakistan Peoples Party has fielded 23 candidates, while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has fielded 22. Nineteen independent candidates backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are also contesting.
Read: GB Elections Begin Today For 24 Assembly Seats
Gilgit-Baltistan Inspector General of Police Nasir Akbar Khan said more than 17,500 security personnel have been deployed.
Authorities said police, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, Rangers and contingents from Punjab and Sindh police are performing election security duties.
