Independents in the lead in Balochistan LG polls

QUETTA:

In a major turn of events, independents were in the lead in the local government elections held in 32 of 34 districts of Balochistan on Sunday, which were marred by violence as one person was killed and over three dozen others were injured in clashes between rival parties.

One person was fatally shot in an exchange of fire between rival groups at Union Council Pidag in Chagi district, while over three dozen others were injured in clashes in other districts. The person who was shot breathed his last at a hospital in Noshki.

As per the initial polling results, independent candidates won 1,058 seats, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) got 98 seats, the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) 71, the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party 39, the National Party (NP) 26, Balochistan National Party-Mengal 18, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) 10 and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz six.

Sources in the Election Commission said that elections were postponed in 108 wards of the 32 districts because of some disputes and objections by political parties.

The local government elections were not held in Quetta and Lasbela due to issues regarding delimitation and formation of wards.

In Gwadar, according to unofficial results, Gwadar Rights Movement leader Maulana Hidayatur Rehman won 27 out of 42 seats. Maulana Hidayat surprised BNP-M, NP, JUI-F and Health Minister Syed Ahsan Shah by pulling off the win.

Over 17,000 candidates were contesting for 4,456 seats of councilors. A total of 1,584 councilors were elected unopposed. The details of the winners have not yet been revealed as it takes two to three days to compile the complete list.

In Naseerabad district, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Mir Sadiq Umrani accused the administration of supporting BAP candidates. "Our 30 workers were subjected to torture by a BAP minister," Umrani claimed.

Additional Chief Secretary Home Hashim Ghilzai said, "One person was killed. Security has been tightened in all 32 districts of Balochistan to maintain the law and order situation.”

The provincial government had declared over 2,000 polling stations sensitive in all the 32 districts. Besides Levies and police, the provincial government had also deployed Frontier Corps personnel to maintain the law and order at all susceptible and sensitive polling stations in the province.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has taken notice of the death of a person in a clash during the LG elections, expressing sorrow over the killing and extending sympathy to the bereaved family.

He also took notice of the incidents of violence in some areas of the province during the election process.

He directed the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to take measures to ensure foolproof security in the respective areas of Balochistan. "No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," he said.

He urged the people to show restraint and tolerance, during the elections and cooperate with the LEAs to maintain peace.

"The candidates should fulfill the responsibility of keeping their supporters and voters at peace," he added.

The people of Balochistan have proved that they stand by the state as the local body elections were held in Balochistan after almost 10 years.

One hundred and thirty-two women participated in the direct election process for general seats.

It is an encouraging process that so many women have participated in the general elections instead of the reserved seats.

Not only did women participate in the election process as candidates, but the turnout of women voters was also quite positive.

A large number of young people also participated in the electoral process. People came out to vote and rejected threats from anti-state elements.

Turbat Division had a turnout of 61% which is equivalent to any major city in Pakistan. This is the highest turnout since the 1988 election.

The credit for a successful local government election goes to the brave people of Balochistan, the administration, LEAs and the hundreds of young men who sacrificed their lives for peace in Balochistan.

This is, in fact, a prelude to Balochistan's national mainstream and prosperity, and a stern response to all negative forces, including India.