Summary Polling will be held in 12 districts of Punjab and eight districts of Sindh in the first phase.
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Polling for the first phase of local bodies elections in 12 districts of Punjab and eight districts of Sindh has been started.
In the first phase, polling will be held today (Saturday) in Punjab’s Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Lodhran, Vehari and Bahawalnagar districts.
In Sindh, polling will be held in Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Qamber districts.
In Punjab, more than 20 million registered voters in 12 districts will use their right to vote for the local bodies elections today.
There are 4,306,885 registered voters in Lahore, 3,944,545 in Faisalabad, 1,726,760 in Gujrat, 1,614,042 in Kasur, 1,507,246 in Okara, 1,430,692 in Vehari, 1,387,865 in Bahawalpur, 1,009,947 in Chakwal, 898,144 in Pakpattan, 817,445 in Lodhran, 765,171 in Bhakkar and 676,587 in Nankana Sahib.
A total number of 16,266 polling stations have been established in twelve districts of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Lodhran, Vehari and Bahawalnagar, out of which, 3,551 polling stations have been declared high sensitive. A total of 8,300 have been declared sensitive and 4,441 polling stations are normal.
There are 6,307 candidates are in race for chairman/vice chairman of District Councils in Punjab. At least 16 have been declared unopposed. A total number of 33,794 candidates are in the run for general councilors while 758 have been declared unopposed.
In Sindh, 4,618,513 registered voters will use their right to vote for the local bodies elections in eight districts, including Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Qamber.
For the 333 union councils in eight districts of Sindh, there are 10,087 candidates in the race. A total number of 4,031 polling stations have been established for today’s election.
Also Read: LIVE - Polling kicks off for Punjab, Sindh Local Body elections
Preparations for the first phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh provinces have been finalised. Army troops have been called in by the civil administration to maintain law and order in sensitive districts.
"Army troops have been called in by Civil Administration for maintenance of law and order ONLY during upcoming LG elections in sensitive districts," the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a press release on Thursday.
The ISPR further stated: "troops will assist law enforcement agencies when and where required. However conduct of elections will remain the responsibility of ECP."
Polling for the second phase will be held on 19th of November and for third phase on December 5.
In Punjab, polling for the second phase will be held on November 19 in Khanewal, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Attock and Jhelum districts.
Polling for the third phase will be held on December 5 in Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhawalpur, Rajan Pur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Rawalpindi, Muzaffar Garh, Narowal, Jhang and Khushab.
In Sindh, polling for the second phase will be held in Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu and Jamshoro on November 19. Other districts in Sindh to go for polls include Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushehro Feroz, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar.
Local bodies polls in six districts, all pertaining to Karachi will be held on December 3, according to an official.
Separately, the ECP issued Code of Conduct for Media.
The statement says that neither any radio of television channel shall broadcast or telecast nor any print media shall publish anything that adversely affects the public opinion against a particular party or candidate.
The print and electronic media have been asked to refrain from disseminating information about any political party or candidate which is not supported by cogent evidence.
“Due care shall also be exercised by them (print/electronic media) to ascertain veracity of any information or news relating to a candidate before its telecasting, broadcasting or publish,” the commission said.
The print and electronic media have been directed to show authentic election results officially issued by the presiding officer, returning officer of the election commission.
The directives were issued by the ECP in exercise of its powers under Article 218 (3) and Punjab Local Governments (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2013 and other power enabling it in that behalf.
