LAHORE/KARACHI: Several people were injured in firing and clashes between supporters of rival candidates as polling is underway in 20 districts of Sindh and Punjab for LB elections.
In many areas, long lines were visible when voting starting at 7:30AM on Saturday while in larger cities including Lahore, voters’ enthusiasm appeared laid-back.
In certain districts, voting began with some delay, reports of mismanagement were received from Khairpur, Shikarpur and Ghotki where polling did not begin as scheduled due to late arrival of the polling staff. Besides late arrival of the staff at some stations ballots were also unavailable.
In Lahore’s Johar town, UC115 a quarrel erupted between female voters of PTI and PML-N over who will vote first. Voters from opposing parties also fought in Vehrai’s peoples colony. In UC185 and UC231, voting was suspended due to misprinting of electoral symbols to PML-N voters.
Supporters of rival candidates clashed in various polling stations in Gujrat, Jacoabad, Vehari and other areas of Punjab and Sindh. Many people were injured in the firing incidents.
The police arrested presiding officer from Gujrat for casting fake vote, while one presiding officer died of heart attack in Punjab and a sub-inspector also died of heart attack in Sindh.
In Jacobabad, three people were injured in a clash between two groups outside polling station. One of the injured is said to be in critical condition. The polling was suspended following the incident.
In Lahore, election code of conduct was reportedly violated in UC-36 Baghbanpura, where voters were casting their votes by displaying it. In Faisalabad, Polling in Ward 1 of UC-135 was suspended after PML-N and PTI supporters fought with each other. Heavy contingents of police have been called in to control the situation.
In Sukkur, a clash took place between supporters of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and independent candidates outside a polling station.
In Vehari, polling got delayed at 77/WB polling station due to wrong printing of a candidate’s symbol at ballot papers.
In Kasur, polling could not begin in UC-49 due to wrong printing of ballot papers. PML-Q candidate’s election symbol was wrongly printed on the ballot papers.
