4,561 seats up for grabs: Second phase of LB polls in Balochistan in May

QUETTA:

More than 25,000 candidates have obtained application forms for 4,561 seats in the second phase of the local body elections in Balochistan.

“It is surprising that 25,000 candidates obtained application forms across Balochistan,” said Sayed Sultan Bayzeed, Election Commissioner Balochistan. The candidates are able to submit their forms until April 30th.

In the second phase of the polls, there are a total 4,561 seats — there are a total of 2,332 seats for women, and five each for minorities, peasants, social workers and labourers. The election will take place on May 29. The Election Commissioner said each elected councilor could vote for four candidates. “The returning officers were running out of forms because there were thousands of candidates. We printed more forms,” he said.

Responding to a question about the law and order situation here, Bayzeed said he has not received any complaints from any part of the province. “Everything is in order so far,” he added.

LB polls were held on December 7th across Balochistan. Independent candidates won a majority of the seats while the PML-N, JUI-F, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party (NP) also won a sizeable number of seats.

The Election Commissioner has so far not issued information on the party’s positions after the by-polls and re-election which, according to the provincial Election Commissioners, will be released soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2014.