- Total 13 candidates in the run for two constituencies of Rawalpindi district
RAWALPINDI: All is set to hold the by-elections today (Sunday) as the arrangements have been finalised for conducting polls in free, fair and transparent manner in Rawalpindi while over 4000 cops will be deployed in the district to maintain law and order situation and avoid any untoward incident.
Total 13 candidates are in the run for October 14 by-elections in NA-60, Rawalpindi-IV and NA-63, Rawalpindi-VII, two constituencies of the Rawalpindi district. Army soldiers and the police personnel have taken control of all polling stations to hold impartial elections.
Around 76 polling stations have been declared sensitive where extra security arrangements have been made. The main contest for NA-60 is expected between Sajjad Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-N and Sheikh Rashid Shafique, the ruling party candidate.
As many as 727,902 registered voters of NA-60, Rawalpindi-IV and NA-63, Rawalpindi-VII will elect their representative in bye-elections. Total eight candidates are in the run in NA-60, Rawalpindi-IV, the constituency of Rawalpindi city which has total 356,935 registered voters including 189,464 male and 167,471 female.
Total 690 polling booths including 363 for male and 327 for female have been set up in the constituency where 726 polling officers, 1450 assistant presiding officers and 347 presiding officers will be deployed to ensure fair elections.
Other candidates are Aftab Ahmed Qureshi, Asghar Ali Mubarak, Tehmina Sajjad Khan, Zahid Aqeel, Azhar Aslam, and Qaiser Mir Dad Khan. According to the returning officer, no one will be allowed to violate election Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan on the polling day.
As many as 370,967 registered voters of NA-63 including 195,073 male and 175,894 female will cast their votes at 317 polling stations including 134 male, 126 female and 57 combined. Total 711 polling booths including 372 for male and 339 for female have been set up in the constituency where 747 polling officers, 1493 assistant presiding officers and 333 presiding officers will be deployed to ensure fair elections in NA-63.
The polling stations of the Rawalpindi district have been divided into three categories including 76 of A, 125 of B and 445 of C. Special security arrangements would be made for A category polling stations. Overall supervision would be conducted by SSP Operation Ali Raza. Deputy Commissioner Dr Umer Jahangir has also reviewed arrangements including security for the elections.
Rawalpindi Transport Authority has arranged vehicles for transportation of the election staff. Total 38 candidates are in the run for the by-elections for five the National Assembly seats including NA-56 Attock-II, NA-60 Rawalpindi-IV, NA-63 Rawalpindi-VII, NA-65 Chakwal-II, NA-53, Islamabad-II and two Punjab Assembly (PA) seats PP-3, Attock-III and PP-27 Jhelum-III.
The federal capital is included with the Rawalpindi division which comprises Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock and Jhelum districts by the Election Commission for holding of the bye-elections. Five candidates are in the run for NA-63 elections including Haider Ali Shah, Ishrat Ali Zaidi, Aqeel Malik, Qurban Ali, and Mansoor Hayat Khan.
