Vote counting is currently being conducted for local government by-elections in 14 districts in Sindh, Pakistan. The polling process took place from 8am to 5pm in various districts, including Karachi, Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Naushahro Feroze. The Karachi South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Asad Raza reported that the polling process concluded peacefully and the vote counting is underway. The police were praised for their commendable performance and no disruptive incidents were reported at the 65 polling stations in district South.
A minor altercation occurred at a distance from one of the polling stations, however, the polling process was not affected as the police quickly intervened and controlled the situation. The provincial election commissioner’s office has instructed security agencies and local administration to remain vigilant and tighten security during the vote counting process. They emphasized the secure transportation of polling staff and materials to the returning officers’ offices. The Election Commission of Pakistan appointed district returning officers and returning officers for polling on 21 seats. A total of 163 polling stations were set up across Sindh, with 72 being declared highly sensitive and 89 sensitive. Karachi alone had 121 polling stations, including 42 highly sensitive ones.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Murad of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are among the 54 candidates contesting the by-elections for nine vacant seats in Karachi. They are competing in nine union committees (UCs) in five districts of Karachi for UC chairmen, vice chairmen, and general members. Wahab initially filed nomination papers for the office of UC chairman on three seats but returned unopposed from one seat as the JI contestant’s papers were rejected and the PTI contender withdrew. The mayor is now contesting from his home UC against six other contenders, including JI and TLP candidates. The deputy mayor is also running for the chairman’s seat in his native UC against JI, TLP, and PTI candidates. The PPP and other political parties have multiple candidates in the race for various positions in different UCs.
The Sindh police have implemented a security plan for the by-elections, deploying thousands of policemen across the province. A quick response force is also on standby to address any untoward incidents during the polls.