LAHORE/KARACHI: Polling time has ended up across all polling stations during first phase of Local Government election held in Punjab and Sindh provinces today.
Polling process in Punjab was quite peaceful except few polling stations including Faisalabad and Lahore where ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and their political rivals of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) clashed with batons and stones.
On the other hand, polling process turned violent when two political groups comprising members of Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) and ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) commenced armed clashes in Union Council (UC) Daraza Sharif of Khairpur district.
At least 10 persons lost their lives in exchange of fire while more than two dozens left injured till the security officials rushed at the spot to bring peace situation under control.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced to stop polling in five municipalities following mismanagement in the electoral process in Punjab’s UC-193, UC-231, UC-86, UC-162, UC-185.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also took notice of the violent incident in Khairpur district and summoned report by the concerned officials. Moreover, ECP central control room established in Islamabad received overall 143 complaints from 20 districts of both province including 52 in Punjab and 91 in Sindh.
In certain districts voting began with some delay, reports of mismanagement were received from Khairpur, Shikarpur and Ghotki where polling did not begin as scheduled due to late arrival of the polling staff. Besides late arrival of the staff at some stations, ballots were also unavailable.
The polling stations at various places turned into a battlefield as supporters of different participating candidates clashed with each other during voting time for first phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh.
According to details, Fawara Chowk polling station number 11 in Gujrat closed after brawl between PTI supporters and police over forged votes. Election staff was seen helpless. The local presiding officer did not confirm either the person identified as Shahid Iqbal was casting vote on fake CNIC.
Separately in Kasur, polling temporarily stopped after supporters of two independent candidates scuffled inside polling station Nathuwala in UC-8 of Kasur.
Meanwhile, quarrel between two groups left two injured in polling station no. 182 in Khanpur area of Shikarpur whereas as many as three people sustained injuries in clash between rival groups in Union Council Loghi s polling station 102 in Jacobabad.
Polling halted in UC-10 station of Kamil Muqsi in Sukkur as residents protested against their votes being transferred to another location. Rangers personnel were also called on to take control of the intensifying situation in UC-17 New Pind.
On the other hand, a scuffle broke out between the workers of PPP and JUI-F as electoral symbol of PPP candidate went missing in Ward No. 4 of UC Aitebar Khan in Shahdad Goth.
Further, two injured in fray between supporters of two political parties in Khairpur while polling suspended for an hour after PTI and independent candidates alleged PML-N of rigging at polling station Zaffar village in US-144 of Kot Radha Kishan.
In Lahore’s Johar town UC115 a quarrel erupted between female voters of PTI and PML-N over who will vote first. Voters from opposing parties also fought in Vehrai’s peoples colony. In UC185 and UC231 voting was suspended due to misprinting of electoral symbols to PMLN voters. In Faisalabad violence left three people injured
Reports of mismanagement, including printing ofwrong electon symbols, late arrival of staff and skirmishes between rival groups have come in from different cities and towns of Punjab and Sindh.
Police, Rangers and Army personnel have been deployed at sensitive polling stations where they will remain until the end of polling. A public holiday is being observed in all districts where elections are taking place, with section-144 being enforced and a strict ban on display of weapons remains in place.
Secretary Election Commission (EC) Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad on Saturday visited the monitoring room established in ECP Islamabad for the surveillance of local body polls.
While talking to media, he said that at least 1,92,000 polling staff has been deployed and more than 20,000 polling stations have been established for the first phase of LB polls.
He informed that some complaints are being received regarding non-registration of votes but the issue cannot be resolved today.
Babar Yaqoob said that some candidates are demanding the deployment of Rangers at polling stations in Sindh.
He barred the presiding officers from preparing the results of LB polls before 5 pm and termed the process illegal.
Results cannot be organized before fixed time despite the consent of the polling agents, he added.
The monitoring room has been established to scrutinize the polling process and timely redress of complaints.
Public can register their grievances against the electoral staff, candidates and violation of code of conduct in the Election Commission.
For this purpose, the telephone numbers 0519210816, 0519210817 and 0519210818 can be contacted whereas complaints can also be forwarded to fax numbers 0519210820, 0519205300 and 0519215580.
