727 LG candidates elected unopposed

In the second phase of local government elections, a total of 727 candidates have been elected unopposed in 16 districts of Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta including seven from Karachi, 410 from Hyderabad and 310 from Thatta.

A total 8,857 polling stations have been set up in the three divisions, out of which 8,153 have been declared sensitive or highly sensitive.

In total as many as 17,863 candidates are in the run in the second phase of municipal elections.

The number of candidates who have died waiting for the elections in the districts of Hyderabad and Thatta division has reached 49 beside 22 from Karachi.

One joint seat of chairman vice chairman in Malir district, while three ward members, one in central district, one in Korangi and one ward member in Keamari district have also been successful unopposed.

On the other hand, five ward members in east district, two candidates of chairman, vice chairman in central district, one for the position of chairman vice chairman in south, three for the position of chairman and vice chairman and two ward members in Korangi, one ward member in Malir, two for the seat of chairman and vice chairman in the district, while one for the seat of chairman and vice chairman and five ward members have died in Keamari. In this way polling will be held on 1,203 seats of Karachi now.

Similarly, 167 in Hyderabad Municipal Committee, town committee, member district council and chairman and vice chairman seats, 36 in Jamshoro, 38 in Matiari, 35 in Tando Allah Yar, 67 in Tando Muhammad Khan, 67 in Dadu, 122 in Thatta, 136 in Sajawal and 22 candidates in Badin have been elected unopposed. Total number of these successful candidates is 620.

On the other hand, 10 candidates have died in Hyderabad, one in Jamshoro, one in Matiari, two in Tando Allahyar, three in Dadu, two in Thatta, two in Sajawal and six in Badin. After which election will be held on 1,675 seats in the districts of Hyderabad division and 709 seats of all categories in the districts of Thatta division.

The Election Commission has set up 4,990 polling stations in Karachi for the local body elections on scheduled for January 15, of which 3,415 are declared sensitive, 1,496 highly sensitive while 79 are normal.

Out of 2,674 polling stations in Hyderabad division, 1,270 are sensitive, 779 are highly sensitive and 625 are normal. Out of total 1,193 polling stations set up in Thatta division, 1,008 have been declared sensitive and 185 highly sensitive while there is no normal polling station there.

Out of 9,058 total candidates in seven districts of Karachi, 2,166 candidates for the seat of chairman and vice chairman and 6,892 candidates for ward member are in the run.

There will be competition between 6,228 candidates in Hyderabad division and 2,577 candidates in Thatta division for all categories.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2023.