KARACHI: Overall polling process across city remained peaceful with no major clashes reported, however, voters complained about errors in electoral rolls and closure of mobile phone and internet services.

Voters also criticised deployment of untrained polling staff at many polling stations that caused delay or slower process. Basic facilities were not available at many polling stations.

Turnout was low in first half of day, but by afternoon long there were queues outside some polling stations that showed voters' interest.

Political parties kept accusing each other of rigging, but despite this situation, polling process went smooth and polling stopped at its scheduled time of 5pm. Security arrangements were made during process. Polling was held for 22 National Assembly seats and 47 for Sindh Assembly in seven districts of Karachi.

Election process remained peaceful in polling stations for NA-239, 240, and 241 and PS-106 to 110 in district south. NA-239 constituency including Lyari and adjoining areas, was considered stronghold of PPP. Most of area comprising NA-241 consists of posh localities where polling process was peaceful, and rush of voters was seen at most polling stations. Complaints were received about delayed start of polling process at various polling stations in south district.

Voters came out in festive mood, while many celebrities were sighted casting ballots at PS-110 constituency. Large number of women exercised their right to vote, however, differently-abled persons complained about lack of ramps for wheelchairs at many polling stations, causing difficulties to them. Polling in East district home to commercial areas like Tariq Road and Bahdurabad also reported peaceful where people exercised their right to vote for their candidates at NA-235, 236, 237, 238, and PS-97 to 105.

Polling camps of many political parties including PTI were seen outside many polling stations in NA-238. Polling in NA-236 Gulshan-e-Iqbal and adjacent areas picked up after 12 noon. In this constituency, number of women voters was seen at many polling stations. Flaws in voter lists and delayed start of were also reported.

In Central district, voters exercised their right to voter for NA-247, 248, 249 and 250 and PS-122 to 130. Complaints about untrained polling staff and slow polling process were also received. Voters alleged that their votes were transferred to distant polling stations.

In district west, home to largest slum of country, Orangi Town, polling process was satisfactory NA-244, 245, 246 and provincial PS-116 to 121. However, there were complaints about lack of basic facilities, especially water, in polling stations located in different areas.

Voters in Orangi Town also complained about late starts of polling process. However, there were some reports about chaos because of alleged rigging at some polling stations in Orangi.

Meanwhile, polling was conducted peacefully at polling stations located in three National Assembly seats: 229, 230, 231 and PS-84 to 89 seats of Sindh Assembly constituencies in Malir district and its rural areas which saw rush of voters from early morning.

Polling agents from PPP, PML-N and Jamaat-e-Islami were present at most of polling stations. However, number of polling agents from PTI was less. Leaders of political parties kept complaining about rigging and slower process. Various political parties had set up their camps outside various polling stations in Malir but they complained that staff was not properly trained.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 10 2024

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