MULTAN City News

PP-196 by-polls
Scuffles, code of conduct violations
witnessed at polling stations
From Nadeem Shah
MULTAN: Violations of code of conduct were observed in PP-196 by-polls as the candidates arranged for transportation to bring voters to polling stations and hanged oversized banners and hoardings in the constituency. Polling started at 8am and continued till 5pm, amid tight security.
Small and big scuffles took place among the Pakistan Muslim League-N, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan People’s Party candidates during the polling process at different places in the constituency.
The PP-196 fell vacant due to disqualification of former PML-N Punjab minister Chaudhry Abdul Waheed Arain on possessing double National Identity cards.
PML-N, PPP, PTI, Sunni Tehrik Pakistan, Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, All Pakistan Muslim League have fielded candidates besides independents.
Political workers, former union council nazims and election monitors predicted turnout less than 40%.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, there are 176,315 registered voters in PP-196 including 96,121 male and 80,194 female voters.
The mercury level shot up from 42 to 44 Centigrade during the day in the city. However, participation of female voters was observed higher than male voters.
The ECP established 133 polling stations, out of which 47 were declared sensitive. A daylong tour to the polling stations revealed breach of code of conduct at large scale as the use of cellular phones was witnessed even in polling booths.
PPP candidate Muhammad Hussein Arian reached his polling station with his armed guards despite the ECP restrictions and they displayed weapons in the presence of police and rangers.
PML-N candidate Rana Mehmoodul Hassan also visited polling stations with his guards. The polling remained suspended at polling station No 16 after scuffle broke out between PML-N and PTI female voters. Scuffles were also witnessed at polling stations 98, 114, 116.
Various acts of code of conduct were witnessed at polling station No 98 (Timber Market), Aljilan, Qasimpur Colony and other places.
Election monitors of Free, Fair Election Network said violations of code of conduct were being witnessed at polling station No 14 as the vote is being cast after revealing it to polling agent whereas the use of mobile phones was continuing in polling booths. Moreover, a single voter used two ballot papers, according to sources.
PTI Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has alleged state machinery was used in PP-196 by-elections openly which was a clear violation of the election laws.
Talking to reporters, Qureshi said PML-N MNAs, MPAS were patrolling in the constituency with armed guards and they were harassing voters. He said the ruling party candidate openly violated the code of conduct but no action was taken against him. Even they entered the polling stations with armed men in the presence of police and rangers, he added.
Police said a total of 3,701 police officials including four SPs and 11 DSPs were deputed in the constituency to avoid any untoward incident.