Islamabad: Voting was underway on Sunday in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan region for elections to the so-called legislative assembly.India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the elections to the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, maintaining that the region is Indian territory that has been "illegally and forcibly" occupied.India reiterated its well-known position that the entire Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called 'Gilgit-Baltistan' are integral and inalienable parts of India as a result of "complete, legal and irrevocable accession" of Jammu and Kashmir to India in 1947.The voting, which began at 8 am, would continue till 5 pm.According to a list issued by the authorities, a total of 1,391 polling stations have been established across the region, of which 488 are categorised as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive.The so-called assembly has a total of 33 seats - 24 of which are contested through direct elections, while another eight are reserved for women, technocrats and professionals.In the past, the party ruling in Islamabad has won the so-called elections.
Voting underway in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan region for legislative assembly
Voting is happening today in Gilgit-Baltistan for its legislative assembly. India has strongly protested these elections. India maintains Gilgit-Baltistan is its territory, illegally occupied. The region is an integral part of India. Elections began this morning and will continue until the evening. Many polling stations are set up across the region.











