Quetta: Huge mismanagement can be seen during local bodies election in Balochistan as polling still has not commenced in many parts in the province here on Saturday.
Polling began for 4,600 seats of the local government at union council and district level at 8.00am. Voting process will end at 5.00 pm.
Extra security measures have been taken by the local administration including a ban on pillion riding and display of weapons as around 2,700 polling stations in Balochistan have been declared as most sensitive.
For the polls a public holiday is also announced across the province.
District Councils, Union Councils and urban areas constituencies for Blaochistan local bodies elections count a total of 7,188, but out of which candidates for 2,527 constituencies have already been elected unopposed, while 513 remained vacant for want of any candidate, thus the polling today being held for 4,168 seats only, where 3.2 million registered voters will exercise their rights to vote.
Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan had earlier said 18,000 candidates were contesting the elections in 4600 constituencies.
Six million ballot papers had been sent to the 32 districts of the province. He also said 33,000 polling staff had been appointed for 5,800 polling stations.
Over 54,000 personnel of the army, Frontier Corps, Balochistan Constabulary, police and Levies Force have been deployed in and around the polling stations and at sensitive points.
Over 5,000 personnel of the Pakistan Army are also on standby as a quick response force.
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