The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued the official schedule for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, announcing that voting will take place on January 24, 2026.

The notification also outlined timelines for nominations, scrutiny, appeals and withdrawal of papers.

According to the schedule, candidates may file their nomination papers until December 15.

Scrutiny will be conducted from December 23 to 30.

Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be filed until January 3, 2026, with the election tribunal required to decide them by January 10.

The final list of candidates will be displayed on January 11. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nomination papers on January 12, while election symbols will be allotted by January 13.

The ECP has also appointed district returning officers (DROs) across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Amir Hamza has been named DRO for Gilgit, Khurshid Ahmed for Skardu, Suhail Ahmed Khan for Diamer and Luqman Hakim for Ghizer.

In Astore, Minhaj Ali Raja will serve as DRO, while Deputy Commissioner Nizamuddin will oversee Hunza.

Manhas Hussain has been appointed in Nagar, Mohammad Ishaq in Ghanche, and Additional Session Judge Mohammad Sharif in Kharmang. Manzoor Hussain will serve as DRO for Shigar.

The ECP said the election process will be conducted in a transparent, impartial and lawful manner. It added that preparations across all districts have been accelerated to ensure smooth polling.