Clashes mar NA-184 by-elections

BAHAWALPUR: Polling was marred when workers of two political parties clashed in one of the polling stations during polling for NA-184 Bahawalpur by-elections which began early Saturday morning.

The clash took place between workers of the PPP and those of PML-N. Polling has been suspended in that station but is continuing in other stations.

Polling for NA-184 Bahawalpur by-elections began amid high security at 8am in the morning.

Thirty-one polling stations had been declared extremely sensitve while 63 had been declared sensitive.

Rangers were deployed at three of the stations declared extremely sensitive.

Para-military forces are also patrolling the surrounding areas of other sensitive polling stations to maintain law and order.

Although thirteen candidates are in the run,  the real contest is between PPP's Khadija Waran, PML-N's Najeeb Owaisi and independent candidate Rao Javed Iqbal.

Over 226 polling stations have been set up, and police and Ranger officials have been asked to remain on red alert.