The second phase of the Local Bodies elections held in 26 districts of Sindh and Punjab.
The polling commenced at 7.30am and will continue till 5.30pm. A number of complaints were being received from delayed polling to misprinting of ballot papers.
The ECP complaints can be lodged on telephone numbers 051-9210816-8 for Punjab and on 051-9210819 for Sindh.
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Independents rule local polls in Punjab
Unofficial results from Punjab suggest that the independent candidates have secured majority of local seats so far, followed by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with second highest number.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is currently on the third slot in terms of seats won.
MQM in position to bring its mayor in Hyderabad
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has so far grabbed 51 out of 96 local seats in Hyderabad, following which the party is in a position to bring its mayor in one of the major Sindh cities.
Sources said that, after securing majority of seats, the party has been pondering over names for mayor and deputy mayor in Hyderabad.
PPP, MQM grab majority seats from Sindh
Unofficial and unconfirmed results from different districts across Sindh suggest that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have grabbed majority of seats in the second phase of local elections.
Female polling staffer caught while filling her bag with ballots
A female presiding officer was caught red handed, after she was filling her bad with torn-up ballots polled in favor an independent candidate, in the presence of a cop.
The incident occurred in Ward 6 of UC 17, when supporters of local independent candidate caught a glimpse of the female officer while filling her bag with votes.
They barged into the polling office breaking windows and subjected the officer and the duty cop to torture.
A police team soon arrived at the spot and controlled the situation arresting the presiding officer.
Zulfiqar Mirza-backed candidates clean sweep Badin city
With results pouring in, it is now being reported that Zulfiqar Mirza-backed candidates have swept local polls for all 14 wards of municipal committee in Badin city in a historic win against Pakistan Peoples Party.
PPP supporters storm Bosair polling station
In Mitthi, supporters of PPP candidate Ali Junejo attacked Bosair polling station. The miscreants injured a Rangers man and tore apart his uniform.
Subsequently, four miscreants were arrested and additional contingent of Rangers was called in to control the situation.
PML-N grabs five seats in Naushehro Feroze
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Kamran Khan has stood victorious from Ward 12 of tehsil Mehrabpur of Naushero Feroze.
In tehsil Bhirya Road, PML-N candidate Mir Khan Sehtu emerged victorious from Ward 7.
Meanwhile, three more candidates of Nawaz-league won town committee seats in Naushero Feroze, namely Khalifa Shakil from Ward 1, Maroob Ali Pirzada from Ward 2 and Dr Kashif Hussain from Ward 3.
Mirza group’s candidate emerges victorious from Badin
Mir Irfan Talpur, backed by estranged Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Zulfiqar Mirza, emerged victorious from Ward 2 in Badin.
MQM expects ‘good news’ from Hyderabad
At least 23 candidates of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement have been elected unopposed as chairmen. A big question remains whether which party will hold the office of Hyderabad mayor.
Some quarters predicted MQM will clinch the mayor seat. However, official results are yet to be declared. official results for the polls will start pouring in from 6.30pm
Vote count starts in Jamshoro, Sahiwal before time
After a consent of contesting candidates, the vote count has begun in Jamshoro. However, polling time is yet to be ended with still five minutes left.
Similar reports are coming from Sahiwal where vote count has also commenced.
Police, Rangers called in Hyderabad
The election authorities called Rangers and police to some polling stations, where law and order sitaution was suspected to be deteriorated.
At one polling station, polling was postponed as ballot papers were misprinted. Candidates also protested against it. Law enforcement agencies were also called there to rein in the situation.
ECP rules out extension in polling time
The Election Commission of Pakistan has denied any possibility of extending time for polling, as demanded by certain quarters.
Secretary ECP says polling time will not be extended. He said no deputy returning officer had requesting for such a move.
Some polling stations of Sindh had seen polling beginning four hours after its scheduled time, drawing protest of the voters.
The polling ends at 5.30pm as per scheduled time.
Four arrested for casting ‘fake vote’
The police arrested at least four persons in Sahiwal for casting fake votes.
They claimed to have got Rs 3,000 each person for casting bogus vote. The arrested persons confessed before the police that they had been working for three days as election workers.
Their political affiliation was not revealed so far.
Woman protests at a Thatta polling station
A woman arrived at a polling station in Thatta, only to discover that her vote has already been polled.
She protested against the presiding officer and demanded to get her vote ‘polled’.
Assefa Bhutto and Zulfikar Mirza cast their votes
Assefa Bhutto, daughter of late prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has cast her vote in Naushero Feroz. She was accompanied by other party leaders at a polling station.
Meanwhile, Zulfikar Mirza has also polled his vote.
DG Rangers says polling process is ‘peaceful’
DG Rangers visited polling stations in Qasamabad, Hyderabad. He inspected security arrangements.
He said no untoward incident occurred during the polling so far.
Zulfiqar Mirza visits polling stations
Former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza visited different polling stations in Badin and expressed complete confidence this candidates will emerge victorious.
He said no one could stop him from getting victory.
Army takes charge of polling station in Chiniot
Zardari displeased with shifting of polling stations
Co-chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari has termed shifting of 22 polling stations during Sindh LG polls a ‘conspiracy’. The decision reflects that the ECP was being controlled by some other authority.
He said such moves were aimed at depriving PPP of the public support.
He claimed that the election commission had complete autonomy during the PPP reign.
Shifting of polling stations is a conspiracy to protect “political orphans” from defeat, said Zardari.
Former NA speaker lambastes election staff
Former National Assembly speaker and sitting MNA Fehmida Mirza has hit out at the election staff in Badin for slow voting process.
She visited a polling station and witnessed polling process underway at a snail’s pace.
She called it a deliberate attempt by some elements to disrupt all voters from exercising their right.
Polling postponed in Hyderabad UC
The elections for general counsellor of ward no.4 have been postponed in UC-87 of Qasimabad due tp misprinting of ballot papers.
The electoral symbols of two candidates were printed wrong.
Man caught rigging red-handed in Sargodha
A man was caught red-handed stamping unstoppably on a ballot paper in favour of his party in Sargodha. It was not reveal on which party symbol the man was stamping.
The authorities decided to take action against presiding officer concerned after the news of ‘rigging’ was aired.
The Police officials also stopped ARY News team from covering the incident.
Rangers detain PPP leader in Badin
The paramilitary force has detained PPP general secretary in Badin Aziz Memon on charges of influencing polling process in the district.
DG Rangers Bilal Akbar also visited Badin where he was briefed on the security situation.
Voters brave tough time in Dadu
A large number of voters queued up at some polling stations Dadu, but the polling could not begin despite lapse of four hours.
Voters also demanded extension in time for polling. Presiding officer said the polling material could not be dispatched in time, resulting delay in the process.
PML-N activists misbehave with women voters
Women voters complained that the authorities have set up three polling booths in a single room, named as ward numbers 12, 13 and 31 in Kamalia.
They moaned that activists were barring them from casting votes amid extreme mismanagement.
Sindh nationalist leader killed in Hyderabad
A leader of Sindh United Party Dr. Anwar Laghari was killed in attack by unidentified assailants. He was sitting at an election office when attackers opened fire on him.
The attack took place in ward no.8 of Qasimabad, leaving two injured as well.
Women deprived of vote casting in Mianwali
Going by its tradition, the local populace barred women from excerising their right to vote in PaiKhel.
Since polling began at 7.30am, no woman was allowed to cast her vote.
This is the home constituency of PTI chairman Imran Khan, leading to stern criticism on Khan for failing to secure women rights.
Meanwhile, PTI protested outside High School Sikandarabad, alleging that rigging was taking plaas it alleges that rigging is taking place. Protesters said that voters’ thumbs were not being marked by black ink in Mianwali’s polling station Pakki Shah Mardan Ward No.5
PTI worker injured in thrashing
The workers of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) allegedly beat up their rival political party workers in Gujranwala, resulting serious injury to leg of a PTI worker.
Heavy contingent of police was called to the site.
He was immediately moved to District Hospital.
Polls postponed in Naushehro Feroze
In the district, elections were postponed in six Town Committees namely Bhorti, Mohabat Dero, Khan Wahan, Halani and Mithiani. Also, elections were postponed in eight Union Councils.
In a shocking incident, brother of a contestant stopped women from casting their votes.
Protest in Hyderabad
Voters protest in Latifabad 53 as election symbols were not printed on the ballot paper. Voters chant slogans and voice dissent over non-printing of election symbols. Rangers resort to aerial firing to disperse protesters.
Fake vote caught in Toba Tek Singh
In U.C 28, a Presiding Officer’s son was caught casting a fake vote. PTI supporters protested over casting of the fake vote.
Man kill father over PTI vote in Sheikhupura
Voting dispute leads man to kill his father and commit suicide.
According to details, the son wanted to vote for Pakistan Muslim League (N) whereas his father wanted to vote for Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI).
Meanwhile, the Election Commission stated that it had received complaints that the election staff in Sindh was not carrying out its duties in an impartial manner.
Election Commission Control Room in Islamabad received dozens of complaints about the wrong printing of election symbols in Punjab. Election Commission ordered polling to be stopped in areas where ballot papers were printed wrong.
Matiyari: Polling booth doors were closed by force, leading to protest by female voters present there. Contestants demanded strict action be taken against police officials.
