Local bodies elections: Polling held in Balochistan

Strict security measures in place during the LB elections.

QUETTA: Polling for local bodies elections in Balochistan ended at 5pm and the counting process has begun, Express News reported on Saturday. 


The LB elections are taking place after 8 years in the 32 districts of Balochistan. Out of 7,190 seats 2,507 will be elected without any opposition because of candidate set adjustments. The province’s 3.4 million voters will decide who wins 4,168 seats from 18,000 candidates. There are more than 500 seats for which the candidates did not submit their nomination papers.

For the elections 5,305 polling stations have been set up. 2,776 of them have been declared highly sensitive, 1,581 sensitive and 958 normal.

Security arrangements have also been made to avoid any untoward situation. 19,332 police officers, 11,123 Levies personnel, 2,000 Balochistan Constabulary officers, 16,321 FC personnel and 5,325 members of the Pakistan Army have been posted at various polling stations for security purposes.

In light of security concerns, the provincial government declared a public holiday in the region. Pillion riding has also been banned by the government from December 6 to December 10. It was also announced that Section 144 will be imposed during the LB elections.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice Nasirul Mulk is in Balochistan. He will also visit the polling stations and will be briefed regarding the polling process.

Setbacks

Political parties protested in Harnai and Dera Allah Yar against the change in electoral lists and therefore polling was not started. Polling did not start in Muchh and Mastung as well because the staff and electoral lists were not present at the stations.