Final phase of elections: ECP rule violations mar Rawalpindi polls

Man killed; two injured in clash; high turnout reported in less-developed areas of city

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

The third and final phase of local government elections in Rawalpindi on Saturday saw a high voter turnout, especially in less-developed constituencies of the city, only to be stained by couple of unpleasant incidents one involving a murder and another a clash between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters in Union Council (UC)-78 that left two injured, as well as serious violations of the election commission’s code of conduct.

Use of loudspeaker and rowdy behaviour by party workers who roamed the streets on motorcycles with silencers removed as well as incidents of distribution of meals to voters by candidates belonging to various political parties were reported in a number of areas.

A food supplier to the candidates told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity that every contestant spent a minimum of Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 on distribution of meals in his/her constituency to secure voters support on the election day.

The election process concluded, largely in a peaceful environment, amid tight security.

In different areas of Rawal Town, workers of various political parties roamed the streets on motorcycles with silencers removed. In violation of election commission’s code of conduct, party songs were played from loudspeakers mounted on vans in some areas of Rawalpindi, UC-74 in particular.

In UC-40, at the polling station set up at the Pakistan Girls School Rawalpindi official seal on ballot papers was reported missing. Moreover, election symbols were reported missing on ballot papers in UC-71. Similarly, mismanagement was also observed in polling stations in UC-85 Dhok Noor.

Long queues of women voters were witnessed at some polling stations especially in UC-22. Due to late arrival of women staff of the election commission at some stations, polling was delayed. Absence of women police created problems at some polling stations in terms of managing the women voters. “In the absence of women police, it is difficult for the polling staff to manage the voters,” said a woman polling staff member deputed at Government Girls Primary School Banda Nagiyal, in UC-86 Dhamial.

In some areas, the election commission had set up more than one polling booth in a single building creating problems for the election staff. “It was very difficult for us to handle the rush of voters in the school building where three polling booths each for male and female voters were set up,” said a woman school teacher stationed at Government Boys Primary School in UC-93.

The polling process continued uninterrupted at most polling stations from7:30am till 5:30pm.

Majority of voters avoided telling who they had voted for.

“We cannot disclose our decision.  It is local election and political differences can turn into family feuds,” said Obaidur Rehman who was standing in a queue to cast his vote in UC-93.

Waleed Masood, an independent candidate for general counselor said that the voters preferred to cast their ballot along tribal lines (biradari).

Traders in areas such as the Raja Bazaar, Satellite Town, Murree Road, and Sadiqabad closed their businesses to exercise their right to vote.

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Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2015.