By-polls in Sindh today: What voters need to know
Sindh is set to hold by-elections for 28 vacant local body seats across 14 districts on Wednesday, with polling scheduled from 8 am to 4 pm. A total of 243,187 registered voters, including 133,038 men and 110,154 women, are eligible to vote across 168 polling stations.
The by-elections will decide two district council members, six chairmen, seven vice chairmen, and 13 general/ward members, shaping local governance and public services in these districts.
The by-polls will take place in Kashmore, Kandhkot, Qambar Shahdadkot, Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Matiari, Dadu, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Badin, and Thatta, covering 23 local body seats.
Additionally, five seats will be contested in Karachi’s three districts: East, West, and Keamari. In Karachi, voters will elect one chairman, three vice chairmen, and one general member.
Originally, 67 local body seats were scheduled for by-elections. However, 33 candidates were declared elected unopposed, no nominations were filed for two seats, three candidates were disqualified, and one withdrew, leaving 28 seats in active contest.
Specific key contests in Karachi
East District – Vice Chairman, TMC Sohrab Goth UC-8
West District – Vice Chairman, TMC Manghopir UC-10
Keamari District – Vice Chairman, TMC Baldia UC-8; Chairman, TMC Orangi UC-1; and General Member, UC-7
Karachi candidates
In Keamari’s TMC Baldia, UC-8, Asif Moosa of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was elected as a Member of the Sindh Assembly. Therefore, his brother is contesting the Vice Chairman’s seat in the same constituency.
In District West, TMC Orangi, UC-1, the Chairman’s seat is being contested by Shahnila Amir, widow of Amir Bhutto of the PPP, who was tragically killed in a firing incident. The by-election here is closely watched due to the sensitive circumstances surrounding the vacancy.
In District East, TMC Sohrab Goth, UC-8, the Vice Chairman’s seat has fallen vacant following the demise of the previous PPP officeholder, prompting a competitive contest for the position.
Similarly, in District West, TMC Manghopir, UC-10, the Vice Chairman’s seat became vacant after the passing of the PPP incumbent, necessitating a by-election to fill the leadership role.
In District West, TMC Orangi, UC-7, the Ward Member seat is up for grabs following the death of the previous officeholder, with voters set to elect a representative to continue local development initiatives.
These by-elections are crucial as they determine local governance leadership, which affects service delivery, development projects, and resource allocation at the district and town levels. The results could influence administrative priorities in densely populated areas, affecting thousands of residents directly.
Security measures in place
Karachi police chief AIG Javed Alam Odho has deployed 1,552 police personnel: 160 in district east (four polling stations), 1,003 in district west (45 stations), and 389 in district Keamari (22 stations).
Citizens have been urged to report any suspicious activity to the police helpline Madadgar-15 to enable swift action. Authorities have assured that all necessary steps are in place to provide a safe voting environment.
Holiday announced
A day earlier, the Sindh government declared a public holiday for Wednesday in the 14 districts to facilitate voters. The Sindh education department also issued instructions to the district education officers and the Directorate of Private Schools in this regard.
The letter, sent to the departments concerned, said polling stations would be set up in schools located in the relevant constituencies. Authorities directed the district education officials and the private schools directorate to extend full cooperation in the arrangements.