KARACHI: Election Commission (EC) while rejecting MQM petition with regard to Local Body (LB) polls in Karachi and Hyderabad has ordered to hold LB polls on January 15.

A 3-member bench of EC presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan announced decision. CE accepted JI plea with reference to LB polls.

EC said in its order LB polls will be held in Karachi and Hyderabad on January 15 as per schedule.

MQM took plea before EC that dual voters' lists were being used in election. Therefore LB polls be held as per new voters' lists. EC has said LB polls in Karachi and Hyderabad be ensured on January 15.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf demanded to declare all polling stations as sensitive fearing influence during process. PTI leader Ali Zaidi at a press conference said that polling stations in Karachi and Hyderabad during LG polls must be declared sensitive as party has reports of rigging attempts by Pakistan Peoples’ Party. He asserted that PPP knows they won’t be able to pave way in elections and will try to rig process.

Ali Zaidi said that sources have informed that law and order situation will be worsened and riots will take place during elections and demanded that paramilitary forces should be deployed in both cities.

“We will not let rigging take place in any polling station and want fair elections in both cities.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 10 2023

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