The Punjab Election Commission claimed that the local government elections to take place in 12 districts of Punjab on Saturday were the most peaceful in history.
The turnout on Election Day remained different in different areas of the city. According to a statement from Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Zaeem Qadri, over 27 people received injuries during the first phase of local bodies elections.
Competition for the seats of chair and vice chair remained tough in all polling stations in the city, including areas like Bhaati Gate Mohni Road, Shadman, Shah Jamal, Rehmanpura, Ichhra, Waris Road, Lawrence Road, and Samanabad.
Mismanagement was observed in some polling stations where the presiding officers lost control of the situation. In some cases the voters were standing right outside the polling rooms in lines, while in others a huge bulk of people descended upon the stations causing rush and chaos.
Asma Ashfaq, a voter in the area voted and had her thumb marked in UC-54. However, she was pushed by a hoard of people back into the polling station and could have voted again. When she raised the issue, no presiding officer was willing to listen to her complain.
Punjab Election Commission’s Masud Ahmad Malik said that only 84 complaints were received during the first phase and the final result would be announced from Islamabad, which could take as many as two days. He claimed that there was no complaint of rigging and it was another matter if the defeated candidates started complaining about it after the elections.
Lahore DRO Tahir Mansoor told Pakistan Today that only 14 telephonic complaints were received by his office but none were of a serious nature. He said that due to the problems in the UC-231 elections, UC-86 and UC-185, the elections were stopped and will be conducted later. He said one fake magistrate was also arrested from the Kahna area.
Masud Ahmad Malik also said that the turnout during the elections was around 40-45 per cent. He felt that the turnout was unsatisfactory.
