KARACHI: The counting of votes is underway after polling concluded on remaining 63 local body seats in five divisions of Sindh amid a few incidents of violence in different areas of the province.
According to details, the polling process began at 8am and continued until 5pm without any pause in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur and other cities.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) allowed the voters present inside polling stations to cast their votes beyond the 5pm deadline.
It is pertinent to mention here that elections could not be held on the seats due to multiple reasons, including deaths of some candidates.
Media has started receiving unofficial and unconfirmed results of the elections, however, it will be announced at 6pm under the ECP’s rules and regulations.
The results of the 11 UCs may change the party position in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation where currently the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is the largest party, followed by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) with a close margin.
These 11 UCs in Karachi comprise:
UC-4 New Karachi,
UC-6 North Nazimabad
UC-13 New Karachi in District Central;
UC-2 Korangi,
UC-3 Shah Latif Town
UC-8 Landhi in District Korangi
UC-1 Orangi
UC-2 Orangi
UC-8 Mominabad in District West
UC-2 Bihar Colony in District South
UC-2 Baldia in District Keamari
The PPP had earlier criticised the ECP for conducting the by-elections before holding the mayoral elections, stating that it would set a bad precedent. However, the ECP did not accept the PPP’s demand.
A total of 449 polling stations have been established in Sindh for the by-polls where a total of 434 candidates are in the field. Over 690,000 voters are eligible to cast their votes in these by-polls.
Commenting on the matter of clashes during the by-polls, the police said that the situation in New Karachi’s Rasheedabad UC 13 Ward 1, Bihar Colony and UC 2 was “normal”.
Polling, as per the ECP spokesperson, began on schedule and was underway peacefully across all constituencies.
“The polling process is being monitored from the central control room in Islamabad. ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal is present with the monitoring team,” the electoral body said in a statement.
The complaints from a few polling stations, as per the media, have been resolved on the spot. “The complaints were of a minor nature regarding fights between workers,” the spokesperson said.
Election Commissioner for District Central is also monitoring all polling stations ensuring to review all complaints.
“The issue in New Karachi’s Rasheedabad was also resolved. The voting process is being conducted peacefully,” the official said.
The ECP official shared that no one is allowed to keep a mobile phone except for the presiding officer and that a police mobile is stationed at each polling station.
DC Central Taha Saleem said that he isn’t aware if polling began late at any station. “It is certain that polling agents arrived late at various polling stations. Whether an agent is present or not, the voting process begins on time.”
He added that it was the responsibility of polling agents to arrive at the venue on time.
Saleem shared with media that the commission received complaints from the PPP.
Read more: Sindh LG by-polls: Polling underway for 63 seats amid high security
