Counting of votes commenced after polling concluded in 63 local body seats across five divisions in Sindh. The polling started at 8am and ended at 5pm without any interval. The by-polls held in Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukku, and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released a statement confirming that the polling process in the province’s 24 districts had started on time. The ECP also stated that the exercise was being monitored by a team, including ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal, present at the central control room in Islamabad.
The electoral watchdog also shared pictures of citizens heading to polling stations to cast their vote. The polling for Sindh by-elections continues, and a large number of voters, including women, elderly people, and differently-abled individuals, cast their votes in a hassle-free and peaceful environment in all 24 districts.
In Karachi division, polling was underway for 26 local government seats in 11 union committees (UCs). Candidates belonging to the ruling PPP, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), and PTI, among others, are contesting the polls on 26 local government seats. Elections were held in 235 UCs on January 15, and the remaining 11 constituencies’ polling was postponed due to the deaths of candidates over the past few months.
In district Central, voting took place in UC-4 and UC-13 of New Karachi and UC-6 of North Nazimabad. Similarly, polling was held in UC-2 of Korangi, UC-3 of Shah Latif Town, and UC-8 of Landhi of Korangi district. Polling held for UC-1 and UC-2 in Orangi Town and UC-8 of Mominabad in West District. One UC each, UC-2 in Bihar Colony and UC-2 in Baldia Town of the districts South and Keamari also witnessed polling for the by-polls.
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In other parts of Sindh, the local government elections are taking place on 37 different seats in 19 districts of four divisions, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Larkana. Several candidates are contesting polls from different political platforms.
There are 449 polling stations across the province, with 292 of them being highly sensitive and the rest sensitive. For security reasons, CCTV cameras have been installed at all highly sensitive polling stations. None of the polling stations is being treated as normal.
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