Ruling parties tighten grip

PML-N on top in Punjab, independents follow; PTI finds itself in third place with 112 seats

LAHORE:

Mirroring the results of the first phase of the local government elections in Punjab, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appeared to have captured more hearts and seats than independents and their nearest political rivals in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf put together in the second phase of the polls.

Unofficial results in 12 districts put PML-N in the lead with 382 seats, while independent candidates chalked up 262 seats, and PTI trailing behind with 112 seats.



Polling was disrupted in some districts because of clashes between political rivals, voters cast their ballots in Sargodha, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura and Khanewal.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the number of registered voters in these districts was 14,685,822, including 6,403,093 women.

Some 27,888 candidates contested 7,494 seats. Until last updates, of the 2,381 posts of chairman and vice-chairman in district, metropolitan and union councils, PML-N secured 98, independents 87, PTI 28 and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) five.



As for the posts of general councillors of DCs, UCs and municipal corporations and committees, PML-N bagged 284, independents 175, PTI 84 and PPP five.

In Sheikhupura, PML-N has 80 wins, independents 49, PTI 16, and the Jamaat-e-Islami and the PML-Quaid one each. In Sargodha, PML-N won 72 seats, independents 51, PTI 21 and PPP two.

In Gujranwala, PML-N secured 42 seats, independents 30, PTI six and JI one. In Toba Tek Singh, PML-N bagged 37 seats, PTI 24 and independents 16. In Hafizabad, PML-N has 32 wins, independents 21 and PTI 10.



In Sahiwal, PML-N won 26 seats, independents 20 and PTI nine. In Jhelum, PML-N secured 26 posts, independents 19 and PTI five. In Attock, independents bagged 24 seats, PML-N 23 and PTI nine.

In Chiniot, independents are leading with 57 wins, while PML-N has 22. In Khanewal, independents secured 40 posts, PML-N 18 and PTI eight. In Mandi Bahauddin, independents bagged 51 seats, PML-N 11 and PTI five. And in Mianwali, the PTI is in the lead with 17 wins, while independents have 13, PML-N four and JI one.

Meanwhile, balloting was disrupted by clashes between political rivals in Mianwali, Sahiwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Khanewal and Chiniot.

Over 104,000 policemen were deployed for security, with paramilitary Rangers stationed inside and outside polling stations, as well as 40 companies of the Pakistan Army monitoring the situation.



According to the interior ministry, five FIRs were lodged in Punjab and more than 25 people, including 16 PML-N workers and four PTI activists, were arrested.

Security personnel intervened in several clashes between PML-N and PTI workers in Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala.

The ECP stated it received 56 complaints from Hafizabad, Mianwali and Gujranwala, which were declared sensitive ahead of the polls.

In Sheikhupura, clashes disrupted balloting in Kot Abdul Malik, Ferozewala and Muridke, where seven people were injured in firing. In Kot Abdul Malik, polling was suspended when a candidate claimed that the police were forcing votes in favour of the PML-N. In Muridke, police were called in to rescue election staff after they were locked in at a polling station by unidentified men, who reportedly also made off with ballot boxes.



In Gujranwala, several incidents of firing led to scuffles and arrests. Polling staff also complained of harassment by various party supporters. Two candidates were arrested from Kamoke for disrupting law and order. In UC-22, security personnel were called in after PML-N supporters attacked a camp of an independent candidate. A similar incident was reported in Wazirabad, where Rangers were called in to disperse rioters, resulting in the arrest of two people.

In Mandi Bahauddin, army troops were called in after clashes broke out over allegations that police were casting votes, resulting in an independent candidate’s arrest.

In Hafizabad, 10 people were injured and six arrested after clashes between supporters of an independent candidate and the PML-N.

In Pindi Bhattian, four people were arrested after police intervened in clashes in front of polling stations. MPA Chaudhry Asadullah was reportedly injured in a firing incident after he and his guard were believed to be attacked by PTI workers.

In Khanewal, several children were apprehended for casting votes in favour of a PML-N candidate.

In Toba Tek Singh, three people were arrested after clashes in Peer Mahal and Gojra. Scuffles between PML-N and PTI workers were also reported in Kamalia.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2015.