QUETTA: Polling for the local bodies (LB) elections for over 4,000 seats in 32 districts of Balochistan has ended and the counting of votes is underway.
Stringent security arrangements had been made, while the day was declared as a public holiday facilitating voters to cast their votes in large numbers.
5,718 polling stations had been set up in the province for the holding of local bodies elections of them 2,776 were declared highly sensitive, while 1,581 sensitive.
More than 50,000 troops of the police, FC, Balochistan Constabulary and Levies force were deployed, while 5,325 soldiers of Pakistan Army performed duties as quick response force at the polling stations.
Nine districts including Quetta, Qalat, Mastung, Khuzdar, Kharan, Washak, Panjgur, Gawadar and Kech were declared sensitive for security reasons.
Pillion riding, exhibition of all sorts of weapons and dark windowpanes of vehicles had also been banned for security reasons.
The election results can be viewed here
Polling Issues
Rivals of Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate and his supporters were attacked during polling at Warjharai of Kharkhara union council, which resulted in injuries to several persons.
Polling staff at few polling stations of Khuzdar and Chaman turned up late causing some delay in the beginning of polling.
In Dera Murad Jamali, polling was stopped for the missing election symbol of an independent candidate Mir Hasil Khan Solangi from the ballot papers.
Several fake identity cards were used at a womens polling station for the municipal corporation in Chaman which resulted in a confrontation between supporters of different candidates.
In Harnai district, a sit-in continues against the alleged altering of electoral rolls outside the municipal office. The sit-in which is being staged by independent candidates and political parties has resulted in polling not starting on 82 stations. Elections in Harnai were postponed and a new date will be announced later.
Polling was stopped at a station in Mastung for Ward no.2 due to the presence of wrong symbols on ballot papers.
