Independent candidates take lead in Balochistan LG polls

Independent candidates secure 358 seats, NP bags 108, PML-N 80 while JUI-F manages to secure 42 seats

Unofficial results of local government (LG) elections held in Balochistan on Saturday show that most of the seats have been clinched by independent candidates.

According to reports, the National Party (NP) gained more votes than any other party, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Independent candidates secured 358 seats, NP gained 108, PML-N 80 and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) gained 42 seats so far while turnout remained less than half of the registered voters as 45 percent voters used their franchise right. The final results would be announced on December 10.

Polling was suspended in Harnai district and a new date for polling would be announced later.

Some 5,718 polling stations had been set up in the province for holding of the elections. Some 2,776 were declared highly sensitive, while 1,581 were tagged sensitive by law enforcement agencies.

More than 50,000 personnel of police, FC, Balochistan Constabulary and Levies forces were deployed, while 5,325 soldiers of Pakistan Army performed duties at the polling stations.

Nine districts including Quetta, Qalat, Mastung, Khuzdar, Kharan, Washak, Panjgur, Gawadar and Kech were declared sensitive for security reasons.

No candidate contested in Awaran and 500 other areas while 3000 candidates unofficially stood elected unopposed in different constituencies.

A phenomenal women turnout was witnessed in the district Hub’s ward-30 and Akram Colony.

Voters in large number poured into Quetta’s ward-30 where they voiced satisfaction over the security arrangements.

Polling staff at few polling stations of Khuzdar and Chaman turned up late causing some delay in the beginning of polling.

In Dera Murad Jamali, polling was stopped for the missing election symbol of an independent candidate Mir Hasil Khan Solangi from the ballot papers.

Several fake identity cards were used at a women’s polling station for the municipal corporation in Chaman which resulted in a confrontation between supporters of different candidates.

At least five people were wounded in a scuffle among the supporters of two candidates in ward-14 in Qila Abdullah.

In Harnai district, a sit-in continues against the alleged altering of electoral rolls outside the municipal office. The sit-in which is being staged by independent candidates and political parties has resulted in polling not starting on 82 stations.

Polling remained suspended at a station in Mastung for Ward No 2 due to the presence of wrong symbols on ballot papers.