The spokesperson of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that local body elections in Karachi Division will be held on August 28 as per the scheduled schedule.
He further said that the decision regarding the election in Hyderabad division will be taken keeping in mind the convenience of voters.
Earlier, the Sindh government had requested the ECP to postpone the second phase of local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions as it would be difficult to conduct the elections due to continuous rains, which are causing severe damage to the infrastructure, he said. He added that another expected rain series will begin. The meteorological department had predicted rain in Sindh from Tuesday.
Provision of security in election matters will be indispensable in case of emergency.
The Sindh government requested the ECP to consider a new date for the second phase of local body elections.
The ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won the first phase of local body elections in Sindh. The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) came second, behind independent candidates. They were followed by PTI and Jamiat Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F).
MQMP boycotted the election in Mirpurkhas alleging low voter turnout and rigging. MQM leader Waseem Akhtar claimed that dacoits steal ballot papers and accused the Election Commission of election malpractice.
Several incidents of violence were reported across the province. Clashes outside various polling stations in Tando Adam resulted in the death of 2 people, including the brother of a PTI candidate, and 20 injuries.
There are also reports of clashes between voters of PPP and PTI at polling station of Allah Jorio Jagirani of Union Council Panhwari in Rohri. People attacked a social security polling station in Nawabshah and held polling staff hostage, while seven polling staff were abducted from Kandhkot in Kashmore.
There was also a clash between two political parties in UC Terhamar of Tharpark district. The son of PTI leader Arbab Ghulam Rahim was also attacked. Clashes between two rival groups in Nowshera Feroze resulted in the death of at least four people and the temporary suspension of voting.
A total of 9,023 polling stations including 1,910 male, 1,895 female, 5,218 joint and 224 improvised polling stations were set up in 14 districts for 11,304,860 registered voters.
