Karachi: The polling staff deputed on polling stations of 33 and 34 of NA-137 Malir, Karachi, constituency showing laziness reached polling station late owing to which the polling started late.
The long ques of voters were witnessed before start of the polling stations 33 and 34 in the NA-137. As per the
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) 1200 people are registered in the mentioned polling stations.
On the other hand the polling started at NA-139 Korangi on time and voting is continued without any interruption.
Unique By Elections As Imran Khan Contesting On 7 NA Seats
A unique by-elections in the country’s 75 years elections history are going to be held today as former premier and PTI chief is contesting on seven National Assembly (NA) seats out of eight, while by-polls is also going to be held on three seats of Punjab Assembly.
The by-polls are taking place in NA-22 Mardan-III, NA-24 Charsadda-II, NA-31 Peshawar-V, NA-108 Faisalabad-VIII.
Besides that NA-118 Nankana Sahib -II, NA 157 Multan-IV, NA-237 Malir-II, NA-239 Korangi, Karachi-I, by- elections will be held here as well.
The by-poll on NA 45, a tribal area seat, has been postponed over law and order.
The Lower House’s seats were vacated after NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had in July accepted the resignations of PTI MNAs — nine on general seats and two on reserved seats for women.
Moreover, by-elections will also be held on three Punjab Assembly seats — PP-241 BahawalÂnagar-V; PP-209 Khanewal-VII, and PP-139 Sheikhupura-V.
The by-polls are the latest twist in political wrangling that began Khan’s April 10 ouster via a parliamentary no-confidence vote — making him the first prime minister to be voted out of office.
All Preparations For By-Elections Completed
The by-elections are being held after the ECP completed all arrangements for holding by-elections in 11 constituencies — eight of the National Assembly and three of the Punjab Assembly.
By -Polls Are Being Held In 3 Provinces
The by-polls are being held in three provinces — Punjab, where three seats of National and three of the provincial assembly are vacant; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where it will be held for three NA seats, and Sindh, where candidates will compete for two NA seats.
Number Of Candidates
A total of 101 candidates from different political parties and independents are taking part in the vote: 52 in Punjab, 33 in Sindh and 16 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Polling Stations Established
In Punjab, 1,434 polling stations are established, 979 in KP, and 340 in Karachi.
The polling staff, polling material, ballot papers, and polling bags were delivered to their respective polling stations today with complete security.
The concerned officers in Karachi, Lahore, KP, and Islamabad are monitoring the process of delivery of polling materials from the Control Room.
Special Control Room
Separate special control rooms have been established at central and provincial levels to promptly resolve election-related complaints and hurdles in the conduct of impartial elections.
Comprehensive Security Demanded
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has written a letter to Punjab, KP, and Sindh’s chief secretaries, and inspector generals of police to provide comprehensive security to polling staff, candidates, and political parties.
Ik Takes Part In By-polls On Seven NA Seats
Former prime minister Imran Khan is taking part in by-elections on seven National Assembly (NA) seats out of eight while he declared the election as a referendum on his popularity.
Candidates can stand for multiple seats in elections. If they win more than one, they choose which to keep, and a separate vote must later be held for those forfeited.
Govt Wants Delay In By-Elections
The government wanted to delay the elections owing to recent floods and ongoing rescue, rehabilitation work after it for at least the next 90 days.
Contrary, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) — despite two letters from the Ministry of Interior — rejected the suggestion of delaying the by-polls and asked the relevant authorities to beef up the security.