Polling remains mostly peaceful

KARACHI:

Overall polling process across the city remained peaceful with no major clashes reported, however, voters complained about errors in the electoral rolls and closure of mobile phone and internet services.

Voters also criticized the deployment of untrained polling staff at many polling stations that caused delay or slower process. Basic facilities were not available at many polling stations.

The turnout was low in the first half of the day, but by afternoon long there were queues outside some polling stations that showed the voters' interest.

Political parties kept accusing each other of rigging, but despite this situation, the polling process went smooth and polling stopped at its scheduled time of 5pm. Strict security arrangements were made during the process.

Polling was held for 22 National Assembly seats and 47 for the Sindh Assembly in seven districts of Karachi.

The election process remained peaceful in the polling stations for NA-239, 240, and 241, and PS-106 to 110 in district south. NA-239 constituency including Lyari and adjoining areas, was considered the stronghold of the PPP.

Most of the area comprising NA-241 consists of posh localities where the polling process was peaceful, and a rush of voters was seen at most polling stations. Complaints were received about the delayed start of the polling process at various polling stations in south district.

Voters came out in a festive mood, while many celebrities were sighted casting ballots at PS-110 constituency.

A large number of women exercised their right to vote, however, differently-abled persons complained about the lack of ramps for wheelchairs at many polling stations, causing difficulties to them. Polling in the East district home to commercial areas like Tariq Road and Bahdurabad also reported peaceful where people exercised their right to vote for their candidates at NA-235, 236, 237, 238, and PS-97 to 105.

Polling camps of many political parties including PTI were seen outside many polling stations in NA-238. Polling in NA-236 Gulshan-e-Iqbal and adjacent areas picked up after 12 noon. In this constituency, the number of women voters was seen at many polling stations. Flaws in the voter lists and delayed start of were also reported.

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In the Central district, voters exercised their right to voter for NA-247, 248, 249, and 250, and PS-122 to 130. Complaints about untrained polling staff and slow polling process were also received. Voters alleged that their votes were transferred to distant polling stations.

In district west, home to the largest slum of the country, Orangi Town, the polling process was satisfactory NA-244, 245, 246, and provincial PS-116 to 121. However, there were complaints about lack of basic facilities, especially water, in polling stations located in different areas.

Voters in Orangi Town also complained about the late starts of polling process. However, there were some reports about chaos because of alleged rigging at some polling stations in Orangi.

Meanwhile, polling was conducted peacefully at the polling stations located in three National Assembly seats: 229, 230, 231, and PS-84 to 89 seats of the Sindh Assembly constituencies in Malir district and its rural areas which saw a rush of voters from the early morning.

Polling agents from PPP, PML-N, and Jamaat-e-Islami were present at most of the polling stations. However, the number of polling agents from PTI was less. The leaders of the political parties kept complaining about the rigging and slower process. Various political parties had set up their camps outside various polling stations in Malir but they complained that the staff was not properly trained.

In Korangi district, the polling process was completed peacefully at the polling stations comprising NA 232, 233, 234, and PS 90 to 96.

Voters also pointed out errors in the voter lists and also expressed concerns over the shutdown of mobile services. Police and other security agencies kept patrolling to ensure peace.

Similarly, in district Kemari, the polling process was peacefully for its two National Assembly constituencies: NA-242 and 243, and PS-111 to 115.

NA-242 includes Baldia Town and adjoining areas, known for its dense population and diversity, including a religious vote bank. NA-243 includes Keamari and other areas, including some islands.

Voters in these constituencies also complained about late starts to the polling process and lack of properly trained staff at many polling stations, resulting in unusually long queues outside the polling stations. Women voters in the islands also exercised their right to vote on a large scale.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th 2024.