Follow Us on Google News
KARACHI: The ruling party in Sindh, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is reported to have claim lead in Hyderabad Division, emerging victorious on more than 700 seats amid allegations triggered by surprising delay in results of 2nd phase of Local Government elections.
Also read: PTI’s MPA Firdous Shamim Naqvi clarifies about breaking seals of ballot boxes
Reports gathered by MM News revealed that 56 independent candidates secured seats in the division, PTI bagged 50 while GDA could only manage 11 seats. JI and JUI-F also claimed to have secured 10 and five seats respectively.
Also read: ECP takes notice of ‘irresponsible’ statements about UCs’ delimitations
The polling which was originally scheduled to start at 8am on Sunday, registered as much delay as by more than two hours in some parts of Karachi, followed by intermittent clashes and altercations between rival political groups in the Metropolis as well as parts of rural Sindh including Matiari, Saeedabad and Badin.
Also read: ECP orders halt to Sindh govt’s ‘paid campaign’ on electronic media
MQM, it may be mentioned here, had boycotted the LG elections, saying its demands of re-structuring Union Councils were not met.
Taking to Twitter, PPP Chairman Bilawal claims sweeping LG polls.
PPP sweeps second phase of local bodies election #JeetKaNishanTeerKaNishan pic.twitter.com/yQa1vNgROc
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 15, 2023
However, results were still awaited in most districts across Karachi division, with reports of polling agents not receiving Forms 11 and 12 from presiding officers, and reporters complaining of being barred from covering the vote counting process.
Also read: Delay in results, Hafiz Naeem directs supporters to surround polling stations
Jamat-e-Islami alleged that some Deputy Commissioners working in favour of the PPP-led Sindh government were interfering in the process as forms were not provided to party representatives even after 10pm.