Vote count underway for Islamabad LG polls

As many as 600 representatives will be elected in first ever local government elections in the capital

As the polling for LG polls has ended, counting of votes just began for the first ever local bodies election in the capital.

The voters turned up in large number at the polling stations to elect their representatives, Radio Pakistan reported.

Women and men queued up outside the polling stations to cast their votes amid sheer enthusiasm especially in rural areas of Islamabad city.

In the first ever LG polls in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), as many as 600 representatives – 12 from each UC – will be elected while the second phase will see the elected representatives form a 66-member MC.



Female voters line up inside a polling station to cast their votes on November 30, 2015. PHOTO: EXPRESS

The MC will consist of 50 elected chairmen from all UCs, as well as another 16 members, whom all the chairmen will elect directly. The MC will be headed by a mayor and three deputy mayors, who will be chosen from among the 600 elected representatives.

Islamabad has an estimated population of 1.8 million but only 680,000 voters (38%) for its 50 union councils.

Male voters line up outside a polling station to cast their votes on November 30, 2015. PHOTO: EXPRESS

A total of 640 polling stations – 261 for men, 256 for women and 123 combined – have been set up across the ICT, with a total of 2,156 polling booths. As many as 640 presiding officers and 6,468 assistant presiding officers will oversee the electoral process. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), some 2,396 candidates will be on the ballot, competing for various positions. Though it is a party-based election, independent candidates are in the majority.



The district administration has made ample security arrangements to maintain order during the elections: a battalion of the Pakistan Army, 650 paramilitary Rangers and around 8,000 police officials are performing security duties on the election day.



Polling ends for first phase of Islamabad LG polls

The time allowed for voting in the first phase of LG polls in Islamabad by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has lapsed, Express News reported.

The vote-count will start in a short while. However, the voters who are inside the polling stations will be allowed to cast their votes.



ECP refuses to extend timings for LG polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refused to extend timings for voting for local government polls in Islamabad, Express News reported.

According to a statement issued by the electoral body, the polling will end on time; however, voters inside the polling stations will be allowed to cast their votes even after lapse of official deadline for voting.



PTI requests ECP to increase timings for voting in LG polls

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to extend the timings for voting in Islamabad LG polls, Express News reported.

“Voters have to stamp six ballot papers during the polling process which will consume a lot of time,” Umar said, adding the polls are being conducted on a working day which will increase difficulties for the voters.

Further, the PTI leader expressed his concern over the alleged mismanagement in the conduct of the LG polls in ICT.



Polling starts with 2.5-hour delay in Saidpur village

Due to alleged negligence of the polling staff in Islamabad’s Saidpur village, the polling process at the village’s polling stations started with a delay of at least 2.5 hours, Express News reported.



Female voter faints in UC Tarlai

A female voter at a polling station in UC Tarlai of the federal capital lost consciousness during the polling process, Express News reported.

According to reports, she was later shifted to a nearby hospital for providing medical treatment.



PML-N leader Zafar Ali Shah casts his vote

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Zafar Ali Shah cast his vote for LG polls in Islamabad, Express News reported.

According to reports, the PML-N leader did not bring his CNIC with him but the presiding officer concerned allowed him to cast his vote, prompting a protest from PTI supporters against the violation of the ECP’s code of conduct.



Imran Khan casts his vote in Mohra Noor

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan cast his vote in Mohra Noor, Express News reported.

Chairman @ImranKhanPTI casting his vote in Islamabad today for the LB election. Voting is a duty #Vote4Bat pic.twitter.com/SoqATpgCT7

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 30, 2015