KARACHI: The long-awaited second phase of local government elections in Sindh is under way in 16 districts today (Sunday), including Karachi and Hyderabad.
Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Television reports showed turnout being low amid single-digit morning temperatures. Turnout improved as the day progressed.
Three hours into the vote, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Hafiz Naeemur Rehman spoke to reporters in Karachi, where he expressed satisfaction over the “by and large peaceful” security situation.
“I want to appreciate security forces but we want the Rapid Response Force should show movement,” he said. “They should be active in the populace so that the people are confident that the security situation is fine.”
He said in some areas, some polling stations were “burned down via a conspiracy as they tried to stop the people from voting”.
“But I want to congratulate the people of Landhi and Labour Square that they still came out to vote and gave a befitting response to these terrorists.”
Only the public can combat them. If people come out, no one will have the power to disrupt the process.“
Separately, PPP’s Saeed Ghani cast his vote in UC-8, Chanesar Town, and spoke to the media.
“After the results of local body elections in Karachi, PPP will emerge as the largest political party in the city,” Ghani said. “I have been saying for more than a year that the city of Karachi belongs to Bhutto and Inshallah the results of today’s elections will prove it.”
He claimed that the mayor of Karachi will be a “jiyala of the PPP” and appealed to people to come out and cast their votes.
