Gilgit, Nov 13: Pakistan Peoples Party is in sight of victory in the first ever held elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.
According to unofficial results announced around midnight, the PPP appeared poised to win a majority in the assembly. The party has secured 11 seats in the 23-member assembly.
Official results will be declared on Saturday.

The assembly will elect the region’s first chief minister. The Pakistan People’s Party’s regional chief Syed Mehdi Shah has emerged as a front-runner for the post.
According to unofficial results, Syed Mehdi Shah of the PPP was declared winner from Skardu-1 with 5,295 votes, while Wazir Villayat Ali of the PML-Q came second with 2,270 votes.
In Skardu-6, Raja Azam Khan of the MQM won with 5,151 votes against 3,257 of PPP’s Imran Nadeem.
In Skardu-2, Shaikh Nisar of the PPP had a lead over Syed Mohammad Ali Shah in a close contest.
In Skardu-3, Wazir Shakeel Ahmed of the PPP had a lead over Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad of the PML-N.
In Skardu-4, Raja Hussain Khan Maqpon and Wazir Hassan of the PPP were running neck and neck.
In Skardu-5, Syed Mohammad Ali Shah of the PPP appeared to be in a winning position.
In Ghanche-1, Mohammad Jaffer of the PPP was leading.
In Ghanche-2, Maulana Abdullah of the PML-N was leading with 4,066 votes against 3,941 of Amna Ansari.
In Ghanche-3, Engineer Ismail of the PPP won with 5,601 votes against Mohammad Shafique of the PML-N who got 4,059 votes.
Meanwhile, some candidates and parties alleged rigging in the elections.  The workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Q and an independent candidate staged a protest and a sit-in in Danyor area of Gilgit.  Police baton charged protesters at the office of a returning officer in Goharabad, Diamir 1 GB-15.
However, Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani categorically rued out rigging during the elections. He assured  the National Assembly that the election in Gilgit-Baltistan were transparent.
“There is no election in country’s history when allegations of rigging were not leveled. Since 1985 non-party elections to those of 2008, every time rigging charges surfaced,” the Prime Minister said adding, Even in 2008 elections, we accepted the results under protest”.
Describing the election in Gilgit-Baltistan as a ‘great success, he said people of the area can be the best judge of transparency of the polls and that all political parties participated in electioneering.
RK News adds from Srinagar: The ruling National Conference Friday hailed polls in Gilgit-Baltistan. 
“Holding of elections for the first time after 60 years in Gilgit-Baltistan areas of Jammu and Kashmir could bring positive change in separatists in this part of the State”, senior NC leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal said in a statement here.
He said, “Keeping in view the overall welfare of the people, all factions of Hurriyat Conference will show willingness to participate in the process of talks", the NC leader who is also a member of the state legislature said.