Elections: Thousands participate in LBA polls

LAHORE: Thousands of lawyers on Saturday flocked to the city’s  istrict and sessions court in connection with the Lahore Bar Association elections.  Former federal minister Jehangir Badr and former governor Latif Khosa were among those who participated in the elections. Candidates’ supporters held placards and urged other lawyers to vote for contenders of their choice.  A novel way of prevailing over voters was also seen with the supporters of Naeem Chohan, a candidate for the LBA secretary slot, handing out roses to them. Sporadic scuffles between supporters of rival candidates were also reported. The random developments failed to significantly impact electioneering. A total of 13 polling booths had been established at the court’s premises in connection with the polls. Of these, 12 were reserved for men and one was marked for women.  Voters were only allowed to enter and exit the premises from one designated point each. Select lawyers also bemoaned about having to grapple with a lot of problems due to the stringent security measures put in place at the venue in accordance with the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2016.