All set for Sunday’s by-elections

Raisani, NP’s Bangulzai strongest candidates for PB-35, while BNP-M, JUI-F’s joint candidate Akbar Mengal for PB-40

QUETTA: The Balochistan election commissioner on Friday said all arrangements have been made to hold by-elections on two provincial constituencies -- PB-35 Mastung and PB-40 Khuzdar – on Sunday (tomorrow).

“Strict security measures will be adopted on the polling day and the Pakistan Army, FC and Levies personnel will be deployed inside and outside the polling stations to handle any untoward situation,” said Nayaz Baloch.



Baloch said, “We have also decided to install CCTV cameras inside the polling stations.”

Regarding arrangements, he said, “Ballot papers have been transported to all polling stations.

“The polling process will continue for nine consecutive hours. Voting will commence at 8am and last till 5pm.”

The general elections were postponed on PB-35 Mastung due to a suicide attack on an election campaign of Balochistan Awami Party’s candidate Siraj Raisani on July 12. At least 154 people, including Raisani, were killed.

At least 28 political and independent candidates are taking part in the by-election on PB-35 seat. Among them the strongest candidates are former Balochistan chief minister Aslam Raisani, who is being supported by BNP-M, and National Party’s Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai.

According to data shared by the Balochistan Election Commission, a total of 107,188 registered voters – 62,403 male and 44,785 female – would cast their votes in the by-elections on PB-35 seat.



Further, BNP-M President Akhtar Mengal won the PB-40 and National Assembly seats during the July 25 general elections. He decided to retain his MNA’s slot and vacated the provincial seat.
At least eight candidates are contesting the by-elections on PB-40 Khuzdar. BNP-M and JUI-F’s joint candidate Ali Akbar Mengal is slated as the strongest candidate.

A total of 76,213 registered voters will cast their votes while 41 polling stations have been declared most sensitive in Khuzdar, according to the provincial election commission’s data.