- PTI’s Tareen meets CEC, says Azizabad by-poll will be conducted in Rangers’ presence
Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sardar Raza Khan in Islamabad on Tuesday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen said that counting of votes in NA-246 by-election will be completed in presence of Rangers, who have written to National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA), calling for the installation of biometric system for the election.
In a letter, Rangers demanded that CCTV cameras be installed at 769 polling booths in addition to 213 polling stations. Rangers also demanded 372 biometric machines for women polling booths, adding that there should be a biometric booth at every polling station in NA-246.
In the meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday issued polling timings for the NA-246 by-election. According to the ECP, the polling will continue from 8am until 5pm without break. The ballots will be dispatched until the supervision of the Pakistan Army. Moreover, terms and conditions will be followed for the election.
Separately, PTI leader Tareen conveyed his party’s reservations to the CEC ahead of by-election. He said that magisterial powers have been given to Rangers so they can take action if there is any hurdle in the polling process. He added that the ECP secretary would soon visit Karachi to finalise security matters with Rangers.
“Rangers men will be deployed inside and outside the polling stations during polling process. The CEC has assured transparent and fair elections in Karachi,” he said, also demanding that a task force be formed for electronic voting.
On the other hand, PTI candidate Imran Ismail led an election rally at 4pm in Karachi on Tuesday. The rally participants marched through Karimabad, Liaquatabad, Super Market and FC area.
In the meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) candidate Kanwar Naveed Jamil told the media at Jinnah Ground that “only MQM cares about the future of Karachi as everyone is busy in increasing vote bank”.
