Massive turnout in Balochistan LG polls widely hailed

Balochistan's local body elections on Sunday proved that the people of the province stand with the state, as massive numbers turned up at polling stations today (Sunday), analysts said.

In the polls, held after a lapse of nearly 10 years – in 32 out of 34 districts – 17,000 people exercised their right to vote to endorse their preferred candidates.

Some 132 women candidates contested for the general seats, which is significant given the number of both the female candidates and the voters.

A large number of young people also took part in the electoral process and proved that the threats of the anti-state elements were futile.

In the Turbat division alone, the turnout remained 61 per cent, which was equivalent to that of any large city in the country.

The voter turnout was estimated to be the highest in the province since the year 1988.

The credit for the successful local body polls goes to the brave people of Balochistan, its administration, law enforcement agencies and hundreds of men who sacrificed their lives for peace in the province, according to the political pundits.

Also read: Independents lead local body polls in Balochistan

The successful election actually marks the beginning of the province's inclusion in the national mainstream and is a befitting response to India and all other negative forces in the region, they added.

As per the unofficial and initial results, independent candidates have won 1,058 seats followed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) securing 98 seats and Balochistan Awami Party's (BAP) 71 seats.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had declared over 2,000 polling stations sensitive and the provincial government has enhanced security to avert any untoward incident during polling.