Arrangements are finalised for the first phase of the Local Government elections in the 12 districts of the Punjab on Saturday (today). Polling is being held in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Lodhran, Vehari and Bahawalnagar.
It is reported that 16,326 polling stations are being set up, with voting beginning at 7:30am and ending at 5:30pm. Only voters having national identity cards are allowed to vote though the Election Commission has made it clear that the card expiry would not invalidate a voter.
Security has been beefed up with over 100,000 police men being placed at polling stations though the army and rangers have been called in by the civil administration to maintain law and order.
The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women is also monitoring the elections to deal with any possible infringement of the political rights of women or incidents of violence. The commission has also appealed to all women voters and candidates to report via SMS.
In Lahore, 3,500 polling stations are set up and officials have already received material for their respective stations.
The material is being delivered under the watchful eye of the police. Over 18,000 police men are in place, with 32,000 officials supervising the elections.
It is understood that 4.44 million voters are expected to cast their votes.
Of 270 union councils in Lahore, chairmen and vice chairmen for four of them have been elected unopposed, leaving 274 councils to elect their councillors. Candidates have already set up camps with refreshment for their polling agents.
Analysts believe the ruling party has always had an edge over the rest of the parties though the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf is expected to offer a tough fight.
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