QUETTA: According to unofficial results, the independent candidates are leading in the local government (LG) elections held in 32 districts of Balochistan province on Sunday.
As per unofficial results of 1,728 wards out of total 5,345 wards, independents candidates have secured 1,222 seats. Jamiat Ulema-e -Islam (JUI) was second with 185 seats and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) was third by securing 116 seats and National Party (NP) has secured 52 seats.
Earlier, polling for the local body elections started at 8 am and continued till 5 pm without any break and the election schedule in the remaining two districts of Quetta and Lasbela will be announced later as the provincial government has increased the number of constituencies while constituencies are being demarcated there.
According to the ECP, there are 5,226 polling stations in 32 districts out of which 2,054 polling stations were declared as highly sensitive and 1,974 as sensitive. There are 16,195 candidates in the election out of which 102 candidates have been elected unopposed while police, Levies and FC personnel were deployed at the polling stations.
Polling was also held in Surab including Sibi, Dera Bugti, Pishin, Barkhan, Chaghi, Kalat and Zhob. According to DC Sorab, the total number of voters in the area is 57,339. Strict security arrangements were made throughout the district.
On the other hand, polling stopped at the Government Girls High School Bhag polling station in Bolan in the protest of a PPP candidate against the registration of fake votes. However, the polling process was resumed shortly after.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja had warned of strict action in case of violations during the polling process.
One person was killed and 16 were injured in firing and fighting incidents in different parts of the province during Balochistan local body polls, while three rockets were fired in Dera Bugti and two officials were also injured in a grenade attack on a polling station in Kalat, Dunya News reported on Sunday.
According to Levies sources, unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade and fled, adding that one person was injured in a minor altercation between two groups at UC-1 Ward No. 7 Padag in Noshki and three rockets were fired from an unknown direction at a polling station in Dera Bugti area of Basa, Balochistan, which landed near the Levies check post at the polling station, however no casualties were reported.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has thanked the provincial government for the successful conduct of Balochistan local government (LG) elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner appreciated the efforts of Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of Balochistan local government elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner declared the successful LG elections a good omen for democracy. He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is also determined to hold LB election in Punjab and Sindh.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo on Sunday expressed satisfaction over the conduct of local government (LG) polls in 32 districts of the province.
Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said that fair and transparent elections were held in the province. He said that administration and security agencies provided peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of fair and transparent local government election in the province.
He regretted violent incidents in some parts of the province during elections. He expressed grief over the death of a person in a clash during the LG elections in Chaghi district.
Read more: Balochistan LB Elections: Polling underway in 32 districts
