LG polls: Vote count underway as polling ends in Karachi, Hyderabad

KARACHI: The counting of votes is underway after polling ended in the second phase of local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, ARY News reported on Sunday.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the polling started at 8 am and continued till 5 pm without any breaks.

The polling process remained slow, and voters present inside polling stations were allowed to cast their votes beyond the 5pm deadline.

The LG polls are taking place in seven districts of Karachi and nine districts of the Hyderabad division. Strict security measures have been put in place to ensure fair and transparent elections in both divisions.

Read more: MQM-P boycotts LG polls as negotiations failed

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman claims JI will sweep Karachi LG polls

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman claimed on Sunday that his party would sweep local government (LG) polls in Karachi.

Talking to the media after casting his vote in the Elementary Government Girls School polling station in UC-8 North Nazimabad, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that LG elections are taking place in Karachi due to efforts of Jamaat-e-Islami. He said that efforts were made last night by some elements to sabotage LG polls in Karachi and Hyderabad.

“MQM ran away from the polls last night,” he said, adding “They [MQM] should have shown courage by not boycotting the elections”.

The JI leader claimed that he had received reports in several Karachi areas that the polling staff did not arrive on time and make the arrangements properly. “Some elements are trying to spread panic among the people in some areas,” Hafiz Naeemur Rehman added.

He said Karachiites to come out of their houses and cast vote.

ECP takes action against PTI’s Firdous Shamim Naqvi

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday took notice of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi for allegedly breaking the seal of ballot boxes.

The ECP has issued directives to expel Firdous Shamim Naqvi from the polling station.

A video of Naqvi opening the seal of a ballot box amid voting in Karachi LG polls went viral on social media. The incident took place in the polling station of UC ward 4 of the Soldier Bazar area of the city.

Reacting to the matter, PPP wrote a letter to the ECP to lodge a complaint against Naqvi for violation of election rules. PPP leader Taj Haider urged the ECP for immediate notice and action against the PTI leader.

CEC’s message 

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has urged the people of Karachi and Hyderabad to take part in the electoral exercise and express their confidence in democracy.

In his message, he assured the voters that the ECP will ensure elections without any interference and that any attempt at orchestrating violence will be tackled with full force.

He also said that local governments were inevitable for democracy and progress. The CEC warned of strict action against those who violate the code of conduct.

Nearly 8,000 polling stations declared sensitive

Nearly 8,000 polling stations have been declared ‘sensitive’ or ‘highly sensitive’ in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad.

In Karachi, as many as 3,415 polling stations have been classified as sensitive, 1,496 as highly sensitive and 79 as normal.

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MQM-P announces boycott 

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has announced to boycott local government (LG) polls, scheduled to take place today (January 15) in three divisions of Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui announced that the party has decided to boycott local government (LG) elections, rejecting the ‘fake’ delimitations of constituencies and voter lists.

“Until January 15, we left no stone unturned to bring justice to this city,” Khalid Maqbool said, adding that the local body polls were already rigged.

Lambasting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the MQM-P convener noted that it was the electoral watchdog’s responsibility to keep an eye on constituencies, but it failed.