PTI’s Naqvi expelled from polling station for 'breaking' ballot box seal

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered the expulsion of PTI MPA Firdous Shamim Naqvi from a polling station on Sunday after he allegedly broke the seal of a ballot box during local government polls in Karachi.

The incident took place at a polling station set up at the ​​Tehsil Municipal Committee Jinnah. The ECP sought an immediate report from the provincial election commissioner on the matter.

A spokesperson for the election watchdog said Naqvi had committed an illegal act by violating the election code of conduct.

Denying any wrongdoing, the PTI Sindh Assembly lawmaker urged all candidates to visit their respective polling stations to check ballot box seals and accused the PPP candidates of rigging.

Also read: Vote-count under way as balloting ends for Karachi, Hyderabad LG polls

“All the candidates are requested to visit their polling stations as soon as possible & check the ballot box's seals & if they are not tight ask your presiding officers to tighten the seal in front of your eyes. The PPP candidates are involved in riggings,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Polling for the much-awaited second phase of local body elections in Sindh was held on Sunday in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad.

Despite the demands of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the consecutive requests of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government to delay the polls, the local body elections were held as per the schedule.

Polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm without any break.

However, the MQM-P — one of the most popular political parties in the two cities — boycotted the elections in protest over “biased delimitations”.