Karachi: Protests and clashes erupted in different parts of Karachi night as political parties demonstrated against recounting of votes cast in recently held L Government elections. Second phase of Local Government elections was held in 16 districts of Sindh on Sunday. However, major contesting parties including ruling PPP raised concerns over an unusual delay in results in Karachi and blamed Election Commission of Pakistan for mismanagement.

ECP took more than 36 hours to announce results of 236 union committees of Karachi as opposition PTI and Jamaat-i-Islami accused provincial administration of “Rigging and managing things” in its favour.

I had gone to meet my candidates & to talk to the press @ DC Kemari’s off.
PPP goons prepared with stones & under full protection of Sindh Police attacked.
Media men & PTI workers sustained injuries.
After MQM’s reign of terror, maybe KHI should now prepare for #ZardariMafia pic.twitter.com/mHor61Dsil

— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) January 18, 2023

 However, contesting parties remain unsure about their mandate as electoral watchdog has yet to finalise results. Protesters claimed that results of Gulshan Town’s UC-1 and two other union councils in Safoora that were won by party’s candidates were being changed through recounting exercise. The party also staged protest at Malir Halt, causing traffic to pile up on National Highway and Sharea Faisal.

Similarly, PPP and JI workers also clashed outside Malir deputy commissioner’s office over recounting of votes in UC in Gulshan-i-Hadeed. Seat was won by JI candidate and party claimed that recount was based on “Malafide intentions”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 19 2023

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