Voting for NA-260 by-election underway amid tight security

QUETTA: Voting has been underway for by-election in the National Assembly constituency (NA-260) in Chagai-cum-Noshki districts of Balochistan province amid tight security, ARY News reported.

The polling started at 8:00 pm and will likely to continue till 5:00 pm without any break.

Around 17 candidates, nine independent candidates among them, are in the run for the seat. Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) candidate Jamal Khan Tarakai and JUI-F’s Muhamad Usman Badini, are believed to be strong contenders for the seat. Balochistan National Party-Mengal and PPP have also fielded their candidates.

This seat fell vacant after the death of Abdur Rahim Mandokhel MNA, who had won this constituency on the ticket of PkMAP in 2013 general elections.

The national assembly consistency NA-260 comprises of the areas from three Balochistan districts – Quetta, Chagai and Noshki – and is one of the largest constituencies in Pakistan.

According to the ECP,  460,202 registered voters will exercise their right to vote. Among them 274,367 are male voters and 185,835 female. Of total 407 polling stations – 167 have been set up for male and 131 for female voters and 108 joint polling stations.

At least 320 polling stations have been declared extremely sensitive with regard to security, while 50 have been categorized as sensitive. The election commission has posted 407 presiding officers and 814 assistant presiding officers to discharge their duties on the polling day.