KARACHI: PPP leading in second phase of Sindh local body elections are stained with accusations of electoral irregularities, low turnout fraud and unusual delay in results from polling stations in Karachi.
Poll – which took place in 16 districts of Subdivisions of Karachi and Hyderabad in in second phase- started at 8 am and continued until 5 pm without a break.
As vote count gained momentum, unofficial results started pouring in from several districts of Hyderabad division.
PPP appears to have won the polls according to unofficial results in Hyderabad Division emerges victorious on more than 726 seats. While 56 independents won seats in in division. Meanwhile, PTI received 50 seats while GDA was only able to dispose of 11 seats. JI and JUI-F claimed 10 and 5 spots respectively.
On Twitter, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that his party “cleansed” the elections to local authorities in provinces.
But, hours after graduation of interview, results still waiting from most areas in Karachi division, with reports of voting agents not receiving forms 11 and 12 from presiding officers and reporters complaining of ban on coverage vote counting process.
Meanwhile, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi spokesman Hafiz Naeem ur Rahman threatened to stage a sit-in to protest if results of local body there were no elections announced on time.
He claimed that some deputy commissioners working in service of PPP-led Sindh government interfered with in process. He said that his party no forms were provided even after 22:00.
“If forms are not provided in in next one hour, and the ROs do not announce the results, there will be sit-ins throughout city”, he warned, adding that the party would announce its strategy after consultation.
Previously, despite the demands of Muttahida Qaumi-Pakistan Movement (MQM-P) and subsequent requests of Sindh, led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government to postpone elections, local body elections were held in accordance with schedule.
Despite the demands of Muttahida Qaumi-Pakistan Movement (MQM-P) and subsequent requests of Sindh, led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government to postpone elections, local body elections were held in accordance with schedule.
Despite the delay tactics and uncertainty swirls over Holding of in final phase of local government elections for over After two years, the vote finally took place. However, MQM-P – one of most popular political parties in two cities boycotted the elections.
Yesterday was also there was a delay in Spread of vote materials from dispatch centers established in all areas of in city. By evening, however, ballot boxes, ballots, ink and other supplies had been handed out.
Interview
Because of the deaths of 23 candidates and elections of six candidates without resistance in seven districts of Karachi, the vote has taken place on 1200 out of 1230 seats of chairman, vice chairman, and ward member.
In addition, 410 candidates were elected unopposed in Hyderabad division310 in Tatta division and 27 candidates died.
AND total of 17,862 candidates compete against together out of of these, 9,057 were from Karachi, 6,228 were from Hyderabad, and 2,577 were from Thatta. division.
There is over four million voters in Karachi, for who were 4990 polling stations built. Of these, 3415 were sensitive, 1496 highly sensitive and 79 normal.
seven districts of The Karachi Division was divided into 25 cities. Central District – the largest district with five cities and 45 union committees, where the number of registered votes is over two million.
Eastern District is second largest area with five cities and 43 union committees and about 1.4 million voters.
Four cities and 37 union committees were formed in Where were the corangi over 1.4 million voters. Western District consists of three cities and 33 union committees, where about 0.9 million voters are registered.
There are three cities and 32 union committees in Kemari area where the room is located of registered voters – 844,851 people. Similarly, there are three towns and 30 union committees with 743,205 voters, and in the Southern District there are two cities and 26 voters. union committees with 995.54 voters.
According to 1040 candidates in Malir, 1450 in Korangi, 1579 in East, 876 in South, 1144 in West, 1781 in Central and 1258 in Kemar region.
bumps in Karachi
The ruling PPP filed a complaint with ECP on Interfering Candidates in electoral process.
The complaint stated that in Kemari District, Maripur City, Machar Colony, UC-6, about four polling stations are overcrowded, voting is slow, and candidates interfere with polling station staff in fulfillment of duties.
The PPP asked the commission to conduct a “timely investigation” of the case. in order “ensure free and fair elections.”
PPP leader Salman Murad reportedly attempted to infiltrate polling stations nos. 202 and 203. in metropolis.
The polling station staff asked Murad to leave the polling station, however, despite their resistance, the PPP leader forcibly entered the polling station.
Shortly thereafter, the PTI workers gathered. outside came to the polling station and the police in big numbers.
Moreover, PPP also filed a complaint with election monitor against PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi for allegedly trying to break the seal of ballot boxes in Tehsil Jinnah Municipal Committee.
Security measures
Election Committee of Pakistan (ECP) introduced strict security measures in place in all polling stations.
“We have deployed 43,600 police officers. for voting duties,” Karachi Police Chief Jawaid Alam Odho said, adding that only 79 polling stations were normal. He mentioned that 500 rangers personnel will also be deployed in various locations.
security cameras were also installed in secret and highly secret polling stations, and the control room was set up for monitoring.
A central control room has been set up. for three days and will work without interruption until results of Polls LG Sindh announced. So be it also issue immediate orders in case of complaints.
An election observer said “interference during voting is unacceptable,” adding that “immediate action will be taken.” against offenders.”
MQM-P boycotts polls
In the late night development on Saturday, MQM-P announced boycott of local government elections in Today, divisions are scheduled to be deployed to Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta.
“Our reservations over delimitation of local government constituencies were not considered, despite several assurances from the provincial authorities. government”, said the organizer of the WMK-P, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, referring to news conference after attending a big meeting at the party Headquarters in Bahadurabad.
The siddiqs were accompanied by Mustafa Kamal, Faruk Sattar, Aminul Haq, Faisal Sabzvari, Sadiq Iftikhar and others.
ECP denies Sindh’s request
A day earlier, the ESP reported that second phase of local body elections in Sindh will pass on January 15 according to schedule.
According to sources, an election observer once again rejected Sindh government request to postpone local body (LB) elections in Karachi and Hyderabad.
development occurred after the commission had met under the chairmanship of of Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja after a letter sent by the provincial government seeking a reprieve of LB polls.
Previously in day, a letter issued by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) under the leadership of government – copy of which available with The Express Tribune – Appealed to the ECP to delay LG’s vote. in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The letter was sent less than 24 hours after KEK rejected the provincial government’s initial request for postponement of local body polls saying elections will be held tomorrow according to schedule.
