DC Hunza requests CEC to postpone Jan 28 poll due to inclement weather

Abdul Rehman Bukhari 

Gilgit, 13 December: District Commissioner Hunza, in a letter sent to the Chief Election Commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan, has requested to reschedule the Hunza bye-poll from January 28 to end March.

This request has been made in view of the predicted inclement weather which will restrict the movement of people and vehicles. The valley also receives heavy snow fall during the months of January and February which blocks access to Shimshal, Chipurson, Misgar and many other upper valleys. The voters will face problems and even political parties will not be able to campaign in view of the weather conditions.

According to sources, the leaders of major political parties have also agreed to extend the polling date to help provide relief to voters.

The seat had fallen vacant following the appointment of Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan as the new governor of Gilgit-Baltistan. Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan had announced Jan 28 as date for the by-poll in GBLA-6, Hunza-Nagar.