Balochistan LB Elections: Polling underway in 32 districts
- December 7, 2013, 4:14 pm
- Breaking News
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QUETTA: Polling for the local bodies (LB) elections is underway for over 4,000 seats in 32 districts of Balochistan. Polling started this morning at 8:00 AM and will continue until 5:00 PM without any break.
At the start of polling, the turnout of voters’ was slow due to cold weather but has since increased.
However, polling at some places appeared marred by rivals’ attacks and protest demos against the absence of election symbol on ballot papers, while at some places polling started late as the staff did not turn up on time.
Stringent security arrangements have been made, while the day has been declared a public holiday facilitating the voters to cast their votes in large numbers.
District Councils, Union Councils and urban areas constituencies for Blaochistan local bodies elections count a total of 7,188, but out of which candidates for 2,527 constituencies have already been elected unopposed, while 513 remained vacant for want of any candidate, thus the polling today is being held for 4,168 seats only, where 3.2 million registered voters will exercise their rights to vote.
Sources said that 5,718 polling stations have been set up in the province for the holding of local bodies elections of them 2,776 have been declared highly sensitive, while 1,581 sensitive.
More than 50,000 troops of the police, FC, Balochistan Constabulary and Levies force have been deployed, while 5,325 soldiers of Pakistan Army performing the duties as quick response force at the polling stations for ensuring peaceful polling in the underway elections.
Nine districts including Quetta, Qalat, Mastung, Khuzdar, Kharan, Washak, Panjgur, Gawadar and Kech have declared sensitive for security reasons.
Pillion riding, exhibition of all sorts of weapons and dark windowpanes of vehicles has also been banned for security reasons.
Polling Issues
Rivals of Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate and his supporters were attacked during polling at Warjharai of Kharkhara union council, which resulted in injuries to several persons.
Polling staff at few polling stations of Khuzdar and Chaman turned up late causing some delay in the beginning of polling.
In Dera Murad Jamali, polling was stopped for the missing election symbol of an independent candidate Mir Hasil Khan Solangi from the ballot papers.
Several fake identity cards of women were recovered at a polling station in Chaman which resulted in a confrontation between supporters of different candidates.
In Harnai district, a sit-in continues against the alleged altering of electoral rolls outside the municipal office. The sit-in which is being held by independent candidates and political parties has resulted in polling not starting on 82 stations.
Polling was stopped at a station in Mastung for Ward no.2 due to the presence of wrong symbols on ballot papers.
