Polling comes to a close in NA-246
Police and 'MQM workers' clash as PTI's office in Karimabad got attacked; several held
PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
As the clock struck 5:00pm, polling came to a close in Karachi’s NA-246 constituency on Thursday.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Kanwar Naveed Jamil, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Imran Ismail, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Rashid Nasim and Usman Moazzam are contesting for the coveted NA-246 seat vacated by former MQM leader Nabil Gabol.
Read: Know your candidates: Pledging to serve you
Claiming that the party has secured landslide victory in the NA-246 by-elections, MQM chief Altaf Husain said that by giving heavy mandate to the party, people have rejected all the allegations levied against MQM.
Addressing party supporters early on Friday, Altaf claimed that people have once again proved that they are not ready to accept "minus-Altaf" formula.
No major incidents were reported throughout the day. However, there were reports of delays at polling stations with MQM leader Farooq Sattar alleging that the voting process was deliberately being delayed to keep people from casting votes.
Further, two presiding officers and a female voter were arrested for allegedly attempting to cast bogus votes at the Delhi School. One of the presiding officers namely Syed Majid Ali was sentenced to three months in prison with a Rs5,000 fine. Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed had been handed 6 months imprisonment and a Rs5,000 fine.
Following the delays, MQM candidate Kunwar Naveed repeatedly pressed for an extension in polling time. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan turned down his request. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was satisfied with the polling process with party chief Imran Khan claiming the by-polls could not have been held in a free and fair manner without Rangers supervision.
The election commission staff was deployed at 213 polling stations since Wednesday evening after the ballot boxes, papers, and bags were brought via passenger buses, amid tight security. Presiding officers of each polling station received the material from the District Central deputy commissioner’s office.
9:53pm Shireen Mazari calls MQM a 'Nazi party'
9:20pm Imran Ismail says will accept the results
PTI's contestant from NA-246 Imran Ismail while talking to media said he will accept the results but was disappointed the way MQM workers resorted to violence.
9:10pm Celebrations?
MQM workers and supporters have started gathering at Jinnah Ground, Azizabad as according to unofficial results, Kunwar Naveed Jamil leads with the highest number of votes.
PHOTO: RABIA ALI/EXPRESS
8:10pm 'No biometric'
JI's Karachi chief Naeemur Rehman says would have accepted the results of NA-246 by-polls if a biometric system was in place, Express News reports.
7:40pm- Agitation resumes
Scuffle witnessed between people said to MQM workers and police, the latter begins to arrest the former. Several held.
Police resorts to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd.
Express News screen grab
7:25pm- Rangers rescue PTI workers from Karimabad office
Rangers rescue stranded PTI workers from Karimabad office, Express News reports.
7:00pm- Forty workers stuck inside PTI's office: Imran Ismail
PTI candidate Imran Ismail says the situation in Karimabad is ‘dangerous.’
“Forty of our workers are stuck inside the PTI office, which is under attack,” he adds.
Further, he says hundreds of MQM supporters gathered outside their office refuse to disperse despite persistent calls by their leaders to remain calm.
6:40pm- Law and order situation in Karimabad improves
The law and order situation has improved in the area as MQM leaders disperse supporters.
Rangers has been summoned in the area to control the situation.
6:25pm- PTI office in Karimabad pelted with stones
Unidentified men hurled stones at PTI's Karimabad office and burnt the party flag, Express News reports.
Following this, police initiated baton-charge against the unidentified men.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi arrives at Karimabad to defuse the situation.
5:00pm- Polling comes to a close
As the clock strikes 5, polling has been closed in all 213 stations in the NA-246 constituency.
ECP earlier said people who would be present at polling stations will be allowed to vote after 5pm.
4:40pm- MQM once again presses for polling time extension
With just 20 minutes left for polling to end, MQM candidate Kanwar Naveed once again pressed the election commission to extend polling time.
Poll
[poll id="1435"]
4:20pm- "Unfair of ECP to not extend poll time"
MQM candidate Kunwar Naveed says it is unfair for ECP not to extend the time for voting as polls commenced with at least an hour's delay at some polling stations.
Speaking outside KDA School, Naveed alleges that some MQM workers have been arrested by Rangers for chanting slogans in favour of the party, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
3:51pm- Polling time will not be extended
ECP have confirmed that the time allotted for voting will not be extended.
3:45pm-Ready to vote
3:32pm- NA-246 by-polls will be free and fair: Commissioner Karachi
Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui says voting is being monitored.
“I am sure this will be a free and fair election and will set the trend for fair elections in the future,” he adds.
3:15pm- MQM candidate presses for polling time extension
MQM contestant Kanwar Naveed has written a letter to ECP requesting for voting time to be extended by 2.5 hours.
3:10pm- Voting time should not be extended: Arif Alvi
PTI leader Arif Alvi rejected MQM’s request to extend polling time.
“Even if they extend polling for five days, MQM will not get 140,000 votes,” he says.
2:45pm- MQM using different methods of rigging: JI
Speaking at a press conference, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) says MQM is using different methods of rigging.
He adds that MQM workers from Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Orangi and Landhi are standing in line to cast votes in favour of the party.
Rehman further says that voting time should not be extended, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
2:35pm- Altaf Hussain addresses party workers
"The turnout has been commendable and countless people have turned out to vote," says MQM chief as he addresses party workers.
Terming his workers as 'brave' Altaf Hussain says "use of force cannot deliver positive results."
Once again, he requests that the time for voting be extended and ensures that his party will win by a large margin.
2:25pm- Presiding officers arrested
Rangers have arrested two individuals including a presiding officer for allegedly attempting to cast bogus votes at the Delhi School.
Arrested persons, namely Syed Majid Ali has been sentenced to three months in prison with a Rs5,000 fine. Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed has been handed 6 months imprisonment and a Rs5,000 fine.
Rangers handed over the fines using magisterial powers.
A female voter, Shah Sultana has also been arrested for casting bogus votes, our correspondent Oonib Azam reports.
2:20pm- Imran Khan congratulates Imran Ismail
"Judicial Commission is a landmark in the history of Pakistan," says PTI chief Imran Khan.
"We will prove today that rigging was conducted," Imran Khan reiterated.
He further congratulate Ismail for running a tremendous campaign.
01:54pm- Extension of voting not supported by PTI
PTI General Secretary of Karachi, Aziz Afridi, says they do not support the extension of the voting time, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
"We are satisfied with the voting process. MQM are complaining because like last time, five votes are not being cast in one minute," he says.
01:35pm- Polling agent arrested
Rangers have arrested a polling agent, Syed Majid Ali from the Delhi School for allegedly casting fake votes.
01: 28pm- MQM voters turned away: Farooq Sattar
Speaking to The Express Tribune at the MQM camp office in Jinnah Ground, Farooq Sattar said that Rangers were stopping MQM voters from voting and turned them away.
01:20pm- MQM requests for extended polling time
MQM requests ECP for an extension in voting time by three hours, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports from party's camp office.
01:10pm- Voting time not extended
ECP says voting time has not been extended, however, those present in polling stations by 5pm will be allowed to cast their votes, Express News reports.
01:00pm- Imran Khan reacts
Taking a dig at MQM leader Farooq Sattar’s claims of voting process being delayed, PTI chairman Imran Khan says he is hopeful the results will be positive.
"MQM is already making excuses as they will not get 140,000 votes this time," he says, addressing the media in Islamabad.
"If Rangers were not there, polling could not be held at this constituency," he adds.
12:45pm- Environment quite tense
MQM workers misbehave with the media near Nine-Zero. They say the media are conducting biased and dictated reporting. The environment has become quite tense, our correspondent Tuba Athar reports.
12:40pm- Misbehaviour with female voters
In Aga Khan School, Block 3, reports of misbehaviour with women arose where allegedly, female voters were told to remove their burqas. Voters react furiously to the orders, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
12:39pm- Rangers, polling agent clash
In Pakland School, Block 2, a clash breaks out between Rangers and polling agents; where agent is allegedly severely injured, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
12:37pm- JI meets MQM ire
JI candidate Rashid Nasim passes by Sirajudullah Government College in the FC area where he encountered severe chants from MQM supporters in favour of Altaf Hussain, our correspondent Oonib Azam reports.
12:35pm- PTI, MQM face-off
PTI and MQM workers face-off at Azizabad polling station as PTI leader Nazia Rabani arrives to cast her vote, Express News reports.
Members of the two parties are chanting slogans against each other.
12:24pm- "Don't you dare touch us"
A woman at a polling station in Azizabad claims that a Police official pushed her. He denies the claims, Express News reports.
"Is this how you play with the respect of your sisters and mothers?Why have you touched us?" she questions.
12:11pm- Voting delayed: Farooq Sattar
MQM leader Farooq Sattar alleges the voting process is deliberately being delayed to keep people from casting votes.
"The voting process is being delayed and people are being made to wait for hours,” Sattar says, while addressing media representatives.
“In some polling stations, one vote is being cast in one hour,” he adds.
However, Sattar says the voter turnout has been commendable despite today being a working day.
"I appeal to NA-246 returning officers and law enforcement agencies, including Rangers and police, to ensure people can cast votes," Sattar says.
He further adds, "voters should be facilitated and the ban on pillion riding must be lifted."
12:08pm- Twitter reacts
11:55am-IG Sindh visits polling station
IG Sindh visits Comprehensive College, outside which MQM workers are chanting slogans expressing disappointment with the voting process, Express News reports.
Gate of polling station number 9 in Liaquatabad closed, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
11:53am- "Voting has been peaceful"
According to a Police official , no party has yet complained about the voting procedure, Express News reports.
“There are 7000 personnel of the Police force deployed across the city as well as Rangers. Comprehensive planning has been executed and voting has been peaceful thus far,” he said.
11:42am- Voter's CNIC ripped
In Kamal Ataturk School, FC area, voters claim that a person's CNIC was torn by Rangers official, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
He also reports that Rangers' are misbehaving with MNA Sufiyan Yusuf at Sirajudin College polling station.
11:29am- Women barred from voting
Women not being allowed to cast their votes at the polling station at APWA College Karimabad, Express News reports.
11:20am- Argument with the Police
Female voters argue with police at polling station number 8 after accusing them of peeping at their vote, Express News reports.
"Why are they looking at our votes?" questions one voter.
11:15am- Votes in bags
At polling station number 8, voters instead of casting votes in ballot boxes are doing so in thier bags.
11:07am- No complaints so far: ECP
ECP says there are no serious complaints regarding the voting process. In case they receive reports of any grave misconduct, they will take stern and speedy action, Express News reported.
The ECP official further said that complaints received so far pertained to thumb prints and long voters queue.
10:40am- Imran Ismail's car surrounded
MQM workers have surrounded PTI's Imran Ismail's car questioning why he is visiting all the polling station at FB area.
As he exited the polling station, slogans were being chanted and MQM workers made it difficult for Ismail to get in his vehicle.
10:28am- No political statements at polling station
Rangers have stopped MQM MNA, Mehboob Alam, from speaking at a polling station on the grounds that one cannot give political statements in the vicinity where votes are being cast, Express News reports.
The MNA clarified that he only wanted to place a complaint on polling delays.
10:19am- Arif Alvi speaks out
PTI's Arif Alvi while speaking to Express News, said that Rangers were doing a good job, however, expressed concern about how the votes were being cast.
"There are two polling booths in one room and this is making it hard. It is taking 20 minutes to cast one vote when it should take one minute per vote," he said, adding that "no officer is available to discuss this with."
10:11am- Ismail makes the rounds
PTI's Imran Ismail speaking to Express News as he makes rounds of the polling stations.
A polling agent in Dastagir's polling station is seen as using her mobile phone which Rangers have confiscated, Express News reported. The use of mobile phones has been strictly prohibited inside polling stations.
In Azizabad's Comprehensive School, 90 men and 52 women have cast their votes in the past 1.5 hours, Express News reported.
9:45am- Women come to vote
Women line up outside polling station to cast their votes.
Media are being prevented from entering the Altaf Hussain Hali School and Ibrahim Ali bhai School, Express News reports reveal.
Polling has still not begun in Karimabad's APWA Girl's college, Express News reports. Officials assure, polling will commence in another five minutes.
Voters stand in line outside polling stations waiting to cast their votes.
According to Express News, polling still has not begun at certain polling stations under the NA-246 constituency.
9:20am- "Confident in Rangers"
PTI's Imran Ismail says he is confident that free and fair by-elections will be conducted under the guard of Rangers Sindh.
9:13am- Satisfaction with ECP
JI's Rashid Nasim says the party was never satisfied with the ECP. The Election Commission however, asserted that they never issued orders to stop polling at any station, Express News reports.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain expresses disappointment in delay in polling.
8:30am- Difficulty arises
Polling stations 172 and 173 have been shifted from a girl's school to a boy's school, due to which voters are facing immense difficulty, Express News reports.
8:00am- Voting begins
Polling commences amid strict security in NA-246 provided by Rangers, Express News reported.
As the clock struck 5:00pm, polling came to a close in Karachi’s NA-246 constituency on Thursday.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Kanwar Naveed Jamil, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Imran Ismail, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Rashid Nasim and Usman Moazzam are contesting for the coveted NA-246 seat vacated by former MQM leader Nabil Gabol.
Read: Know your candidates: Pledging to serve you
Claiming that the party has secured landslide victory in the NA-246 by-elections, MQM chief Altaf Husain said that by giving heavy mandate to the party, people have rejected all the allegations levied against MQM.
Addressing party supporters early on Friday, Altaf claimed that people have once again proved that they are not ready to accept "minus-Altaf" formula.
No major incidents were reported throughout the day. However, there were reports of delays at polling stations with MQM leader Farooq Sattar alleging that the voting process was deliberately being delayed to keep people from casting votes.
Further, two presiding officers and a female voter were arrested for allegedly attempting to cast bogus votes at the Delhi School. One of the presiding officers namely Syed Majid Ali was sentenced to three months in prison with a Rs5,000 fine. Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed had been handed 6 months imprisonment and a Rs5,000 fine.
Following the delays, MQM candidate Kunwar Naveed repeatedly pressed for an extension in polling time. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan turned down his request. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was satisfied with the polling process with party chief Imran Khan claiming the by-polls could not have been held in a free and fair manner without Rangers supervision.
The election commission staff was deployed at 213 polling stations since Wednesday evening after the ballot boxes, papers, and bags were brought via passenger buses, amid tight security. Presiding officers of each polling station received the material from the District Central deputy commissioner’s office.
9:53pm Shireen Mazari calls MQM a 'Nazi party'
9:20pm Imran Ismail says will accept the results
PTI's contestant from NA-246 Imran Ismail while talking to media said he will accept the results but was disappointed the way MQM workers resorted to violence.
9:10pm Celebrations?
MQM workers and supporters have started gathering at Jinnah Ground, Azizabad as according to unofficial results, Kunwar Naveed Jamil leads with the highest number of votes.
PHOTO: RABIA ALI/EXPRESS
8:10pm 'No biometric'
JI's Karachi chief Naeemur Rehman says would have accepted the results of NA-246 by-polls if a biometric system was in place, Express News reports.
7:40pm- Agitation resumes
Scuffle witnessed between people said to MQM workers and police, the latter begins to arrest the former. Several held.
Police resorts to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd.
Express News screen grab
7:25pm- Rangers rescue PTI workers from Karimabad office
Rangers rescue stranded PTI workers from Karimabad office, Express News reports.
7:00pm- Forty workers stuck inside PTI's office: Imran Ismail
PTI candidate Imran Ismail says the situation in Karimabad is ‘dangerous.’
“Forty of our workers are stuck inside the PTI office, which is under attack,” he adds.
Further, he says hundreds of MQM supporters gathered outside their office refuse to disperse despite persistent calls by their leaders to remain calm.
6:40pm- Law and order situation in Karimabad improves
The law and order situation has improved in the area as MQM leaders disperse supporters.
Rangers has been summoned in the area to control the situation.
6:25pm- PTI office in Karimabad pelted with stones
Unidentified men hurled stones at PTI's Karimabad office and burnt the party flag, Express News reports.
Following this, police initiated baton-charge against the unidentified men.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi arrives at Karimabad to defuse the situation.
Express News screengrab of PTI's flag being burnt
5:00pm- Polling comes to a close
As the clock strikes 5, polling has been closed in all 213 stations in the NA-246 constituency.
ECP earlier said people who would be present at polling stations will be allowed to vote after 5pm.
Express News screengrab of PTI leader Imran Ismail and MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi
4:40pm- MQM once again presses for polling time extension
With just 20 minutes left for polling to end, MQM candidate Kanwar Naveed once again pressed the election commission to extend polling time.
Poll
[poll id="1435"]
4:20pm- "Unfair of ECP to not extend poll time"
MQM candidate Kunwar Naveed says it is unfair for ECP not to extend the time for voting as polls commenced with at least an hour's delay at some polling stations.
Speaking outside KDA School, Naveed alleges that some MQM workers have been arrested by Rangers for chanting slogans in favour of the party, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
3:51pm- Polling time will not be extended
ECP have confirmed that the time allotted for voting will not be extended.
PHOTO: SIDRA AYAZ
3:45pm-Ready to vote
PHOTO: SIDRA AYAZ
PHOTO: SIDRA AYAZ
3:32pm- NA-246 by-polls will be free and fair: Commissioner Karachi
Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui says voting is being monitored.
Photo: SIDRA AYAZ
“I am sure this will be a free and fair election and will set the trend for fair elections in the future,” he adds.
3:15pm- MQM candidate presses for polling time extension
MQM contestant Kanwar Naveed has written a letter to ECP requesting for voting time to be extended by 2.5 hours.
MQM camp office at Jinnah ground. PHOTO: RABIA ALI/ EXPRESS
3:10pm- Voting time should not be extended: Arif Alvi
PTI leader Arif Alvi rejected MQM’s request to extend polling time.
“Even if they extend polling for five days, MQM will not get 140,000 votes,” he says.
2:45pm- MQM using different methods of rigging: JI
Speaking at a press conference, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) says MQM is using different methods of rigging.
He adds that MQM workers from Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Orangi and Landhi are standing in line to cast votes in favour of the party.
Rehman further says that voting time should not be extended, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
2:35pm- Altaf Hussain addresses party workers
"The turnout has been commendable and countless people have turned out to vote," says MQM chief as he addresses party workers.
Terming his workers as 'brave' Altaf Hussain says "use of force cannot deliver positive results."
Once again, he requests that the time for voting be extended and ensures that his party will win by a large margin.
2:25pm- Presiding officers arrested
Rangers have arrested two individuals including a presiding officer for allegedly attempting to cast bogus votes at the Delhi School.
Arrested persons, namely Syed Majid Ali has been sentenced to three months in prison with a Rs5,000 fine. Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed has been handed 6 months imprisonment and a Rs5,000 fine.
Rangers handed over the fines using magisterial powers.
Express News screengrab of Syed Majid Ali
Express News screengrab of presiding officer Rehan Ahmed
A female voter, Shah Sultana has also been arrested for casting bogus votes, our correspondent Oonib Azam reports.
2:20pm- Imran Khan congratulates Imran Ismail
"Judicial Commission is a landmark in the history of Pakistan," says PTI chief Imran Khan.
"We will prove today that rigging was conducted," Imran Khan reiterated.
He further congratulate Ismail for running a tremendous campaign.
01:54pm- Extension of voting not supported by PTI
PTI General Secretary of Karachi, Aziz Afridi, says they do not support the extension of the voting time, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
PHOTO: RABIA ALI/EXPRESS
"We are satisfied with the voting process. MQM are complaining because like last time, five votes are not being cast in one minute," he says.
01:35pm- Polling agent arrested
Rangers have arrested a polling agent, Syed Majid Ali from the Delhi School for allegedly casting fake votes.
01: 28pm- MQM voters turned away: Farooq Sattar
Speaking to The Express Tribune at the MQM camp office in Jinnah Ground, Farooq Sattar said that Rangers were stopping MQM voters from voting and turned them away.
01:20pm- MQM requests for extended polling time
MQM requests ECP for an extension in voting time by three hours, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports from party's camp office.
01:10pm- Voting time not extended
ECP says voting time has not been extended, however, those present in polling stations by 5pm will be allowed to cast their votes, Express News reports.
01:00pm- Imran Khan reacts
Taking a dig at MQM leader Farooq Sattar’s claims of voting process being delayed, PTI chairman Imran Khan says he is hopeful the results will be positive.
"MQM is already making excuses as they will not get 140,000 votes this time," he says, addressing the media in Islamabad.
"If Rangers were not there, polling could not be held at this constituency," he adds.
12:45pm- Environment quite tense
MQM workers misbehave with the media near Nine-Zero. They say the media are conducting biased and dictated reporting. The environment has become quite tense, our correspondent Tuba Athar reports.
12:40pm- Misbehaviour with female voters
In Aga Khan School, Block 3, reports of misbehaviour with women arose where allegedly, female voters were told to remove their burqas. Voters react furiously to the orders, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
Woman casting her vote. Photo: AFP
12:39pm- Rangers, polling agent clash
In Pakland School, Block 2, a clash breaks out between Rangers and polling agents; where agent is allegedly severely injured, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
12:37pm- JI meets MQM ire
JI candidate Rashid Nasim passes by Sirajudullah Government College in the FC area where he encountered severe chants from MQM supporters in favour of Altaf Hussain, our correspondent Oonib Azam reports.
12:35pm- PTI, MQM face-off
PTI and MQM workers face-off at Azizabad polling station as PTI leader Nazia Rabani arrives to cast her vote, Express News reports.
Members of the two parties are chanting slogans against each other.
12:24pm- "Don't you dare touch us"
A woman at a polling station in Azizabad claims that a Police official pushed her. He denies the claims, Express News reports.
"Is this how you play with the respect of your sisters and mothers?Why have you touched us?" she questions.
12:11pm- Voting delayed: Farooq Sattar
MQM leader Farooq Sattar alleges the voting process is deliberately being delayed to keep people from casting votes.
"The voting process is being delayed and people are being made to wait for hours,” Sattar says, while addressing media representatives.
“In some polling stations, one vote is being cast in one hour,” he adds.
An Express News screengrab
However, Sattar says the voter turnout has been commendable despite today being a working day.
"I appeal to NA-246 returning officers and law enforcement agencies, including Rangers and police, to ensure people can cast votes," Sattar says.
He further adds, "voters should be facilitated and the ban on pillion riding must be lifted."
12:08pm- Twitter reacts
11:55am-IG Sindh visits polling station
IG Sindh visits Comprehensive College, outside which MQM workers are chanting slogans expressing disappointment with the voting process, Express News reports.
Gate of polling station number 9 in Liaquatabad closed, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
11:53am- "Voting has been peaceful"
According to a Police official , no party has yet complained about the voting procedure, Express News reports.
Women casting their votes at a polling station in Karachi's NA-246 constituency. Photo: AFP
“There are 7000 personnel of the Police force deployed across the city as well as Rangers. Comprehensive planning has been executed and voting has been peaceful thus far,” he said.
11:42am- Voter's CNIC ripped
In Kamal Ataturk School, FC area, voters claim that a person's CNIC was torn by Rangers official, our correspondent Faraz Khan reports.
He also reports that Rangers' are misbehaving with MNA Sufiyan Yusuf at Sirajudin College polling station.
11:29am- Women barred from voting
Women not being allowed to cast their votes at the polling station at APWA College Karimabad, Express News reports.
11:20am- Argument with the Police
Female voters argue with police at polling station number 8 after accusing them of peeping at their vote, Express News reports.
"Why are they looking at our votes?" questions one voter.
11:15am- Votes in bags
At polling station number 8, voters instead of casting votes in ballot boxes are doing so in thier bags.
11:07am- No complaints so far: ECP
ECP says there are no serious complaints regarding the voting process. In case they receive reports of any grave misconduct, they will take stern and speedy action, Express News reported.
The ECP official further said that complaints received so far pertained to thumb prints and long voters queue.
10:40am- Imran Ismail's car surrounded
MQM workers have surrounded PTI's Imran Ismail's car questioning why he is visiting all the polling station at FB area.
As he exited the polling station, slogans were being chanted and MQM workers made it difficult for Ismail to get in his vehicle.
10:28am- No political statements at polling station
Rangers have stopped MQM MNA, Mehboob Alam, from speaking at a polling station on the grounds that one cannot give political statements in the vicinity where votes are being cast, Express News reports.
The MNA clarified that he only wanted to place a complaint on polling delays.
10:19am- Arif Alvi speaks out
PTI's Arif Alvi while speaking to Express News, said that Rangers were doing a good job, however, expressed concern about how the votes were being cast.
"There are two polling booths in one room and this is making it hard. It is taking 20 minutes to cast one vote when it should take one minute per vote," he said, adding that "no officer is available to discuss this with."
10:11am- Ismail makes the rounds
PTI's Imran Ismail speaking to Express News as he makes rounds of the polling stations.
An Express News screengrab
A polling agent in Dastagir's polling station is seen as using her mobile phone which Rangers have confiscated, Express News reported. The use of mobile phones has been strictly prohibited inside polling stations.
In Azizabad's Comprehensive School, 90 men and 52 women have cast their votes in the past 1.5 hours, Express News reported.
An Express News screengrab
9:45am- Women come to vote
Women line up outside polling station to cast their votes.
An Express News screengrab
Media are being prevented from entering the Altaf Hussain Hali School and Ibrahim Ali bhai School, Express News reports reveal.
Polling has still not begun in Karimabad's APWA Girl's college, Express News reports. Officials assure, polling will commence in another five minutes.
Voters stand in line outside polling stations waiting to cast their votes.
According to Express News, polling still has not begun at certain polling stations under the NA-246 constituency.
An Express News screengrab of voters waiting in line
An Express News screengrab
9:20am- "Confident in Rangers"
PTI's Imran Ismail says he is confident that free and fair by-elections will be conducted under the guard of Rangers Sindh.
An Express News screengrab of police presence at polling stations
9:13am- Satisfaction with ECP
JI's Rashid Nasim says the party was never satisfied with the ECP. The Election Commission however, asserted that they never issued orders to stop polling at any station, Express News reports.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain expresses disappointment in delay in polling.
8:30am- Difficulty arises
Polling stations 172 and 173 have been shifted from a girl's school to a boy's school, due to which voters are facing immense difficulty, Express News reports.
8:00am- Voting begins
Polling commences amid strict security in NA-246 provided by Rangers, Express News reported.
An Express News screengrab of Rangers carrying out security checks