NA-245 Karachi by-poll: Voting underway amid strict security

KARACHI: Polling for by-election in Karachi’s NA-245 constituency has begun amid tight security, ARY News reported.

The polling that began at 8:00 am will continue without any break till 5:00 pm.

According to the ECP, a total of 263 polling stations have been set up for the by-election, of which 60 polling stations have been declared sensitive and 203 most sensitive.

Strict security measures have been adopted for maintaining the law and order situation during the polling in Karachi’s NA-245.

The constituency comprises Jamshed Quarters, Pakistan Quarters, Martin Quarters, PECHS, Lines Area, Soldier Bazaar, New Town, Patel Para, Garden West, Martin Quarters, Teen Hatti, PIB Colony, etc. As many as 166,869 votes were cast in this constituency.

The by-election was originally scheduled to be held on July 27, however, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed it due to torrential rains in the metropolis.

A total of 17 candidates belonging to different political parties are contesting the by-election from the National Assembly constituency 245. Among them, the most prominent are Farooq Sattar (Indp) PTI’s Mehmood Baqi Moulvi, MQM’s Moid Anwar and PSP’s Syed Hafeezuddin.

Slow voting process

Polling for the NA-245 Karachi by-election is slow as voters have not reached the polling stations of the constituencies in large numbers.

So far, only 24 votes have been cast at six polling stations set up at Govt Islamia Girls College. Only three men exercised their right to vote at polling station 110, four at polling station no 11, one woman at polling station no 112, two men and a woman at polling station no 112 and only two men and a woman cast vote at polling no 113 at Govt Islamia Girls College.

CEC asks masses to exercise right to vote

Urging the public to exercise their democratic right to vote without any fear, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja directed to ensure transparency and maintain peace at all costs during the ongoing polling process in Karachi’s NA-245 constituency.

Riots and interference in the polling process will not be tolerated, the CEC said and warned of swift action against violations of the law.

He directed the police and law enforcement agencies to remain alert and apprehend those who try to create unrest inside a polling station.

The CEC urged the public not to believe in rumours and contact the ECP’s provincial and central control rooms for verified information and to lodge their complaints.

Three-way contest

The NA-245 by-poll is expected to be a three-way contest between Farooq Sattar, PTI’s Mahmood Maulvi and MQM-Pakistan’s Moeed Anwar.

The MQM-Pakistan candidate enjoys the support of its allies in the coalition government in the center. In the 2018 General Election, Aamir Liaquat Hussain defeated Dr. Farooq Sattar by securing 56,673 votes.