Smooth sailing: First phase of LG polls concludes peacefully

Clashes hold up polling in some areas

LAHORE:

The first phase of local government elections concluded peacefully on Saturday with only minor clashes disrupting polling in some parts of the city.

Polling for general councillors was postponed in four wards and in one union council for chairman and vice chairman. Four panels of chairmen and vice chairmen have been declared returned unopposed.

Polling started at 7:30am and concluded at 5:30pm. Polling started late in some stations where arrangements had not been completed.

Some candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Peoples Party alleged rigging.

Aziz Bhatti Town Tehsil Municipal Officer Shaukat Azhar was arrested on the orders of the district returning officer for failing to reach the polling station assigned to him as presiding officer.

One Asim Ashraf was arrested from a polling station in UC-251 for posing as a magistrate and trying to influence the polling staff.

In UC-256 Nawab Town, polling was disrupted due to some scuffles between supporters of rival candidates.

Clashes were reported between the PTI and PMPL-N workers in Gulberg’s UC-201, UC-228 Kacha Jail Road, UC-23 Khokhar Road, UC-57 Outfall Road, UC-159 Ghaziabad, UC-118, UC-123 and UC-237 Green Town.

Polling was suspended in these areas a result and resumed after police intervened.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cast his vote in UC-70, Serai Sultan in Railway Road area amid tight security. Polling there was held up for two hours as the prime minister cast his vote.

The prime minister waved to PML-N supporters but did talk with newsmen. In a statement issued later, the prime minister said he believed in democracy. “I have full faith...it will bring good things for us in the future. Democracy is the only road to progress and development.”

Some women at the UC-70 polling station where he cast his vote protested the delay and chanted slogans against the PML-N.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif cast his vote at a polling station in Union Council-207, Model Town. The chief minister arrived at the polling station without security protocol, shook hands with the polling staff and cast his vote. Polling was not held up due to his arrival.

As he left, slogans were raised in support of the PML-N.

Talking to newsmen after casting his vote, the chief minister said the police, the city district administration, Pakistan Army and the Election Commission had ensured a free and fair election.

In UC-23 Khokhar Road, police detained candidates for chairman Latif Khokhar of the PML-N and Asif Bhindar of the PTI at their houses.

Though polling opened early, turnout picked up around noon.

In Johar Town, Thokar, Wapda Town and Punjab Housing Society, the pace dropped significantly in the afternoon. Later, with only an hour left till polls closed, queues formed in front of polling stations as people rushed to vote.

Some voters complained that polling staff was not trained to help voters.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Muhammad Anwar said he went to vote at a polling station in Ward 4 of UC-211 where he spent 45 minutes in a queue.

A festive environment was seen in UC-203 Gulberg 3 where supporters of rival parties gathered near a polling station next to Forman Christian College.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2015.