KARACHI, Feb 9: Stage has been set for holding by-election on Saturday in the National Assembly constituency (NA-250) in a peaceful atmosphere.
In the constituency, which had fallen vacant with the death of Abdul Sattar Afghani of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, despite 13 candidates being in the field, the real contest is between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement candidate Capt (retd) Akhlaq Husain Abidi and Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy candidate Nafees Ahmad Siddiqui .
The other two candidates with political backing have already announced their exit from the contest following the retirement of PML-N candidate Saleem Zia in favour of Nafees Siddiqui and boycott by Raja Arif Sultan Minhas of the MMA in protest against what he claimed pre-poll rigging by the government in favour of the MQM candidate. All the remaining nine candidates are independent. Although some of them have quit the field, as their announcements came after the withdrawal date, their names would be on the ballot papers.
The NA-250 (Karachi XII) by-election has become a test case for the government to prove to the world that it stood by its commitment to holding the next general election fair, free and transparent by presenting them an example of this by-election. In a way, it is also a test case for the opposition to prove its strength.
The constituency is mostly located in thickly populated areas of the city which is also the centre of mercantile activities and financial institutions.
Amidst allegations of use of the government machinery for the candidate of one of the parties in the ruling alliance by opposition leaders and counter claims by the government and MQM leaders that people were fed up with the opposition, Provincial Election Commissioner Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, when contacted, told Dawn that the commission had taken all necessary measures to keep the entire polling process transparent.
Three teams, headed by the deputy election commissioner and two assistant election commissioners, were deputed to monitor the polling process and keep an eye on the law and order situation. These teams would keep the Election Commission informed about the situation.
In addition, he said, national and international observers would also be visiting the polling stations. Besides, a complaint cell has been set up in its provincial headquarter, where complaints could be lodged by the telephone in case of irregularities or violation of the code of conduct, he said.
To help prevent rigging and violence, as apprehended by some candidates, Sindh Home Secretary Brig (Retd) GM Mohtaram held a meeting with the candidates still in the field. It was attended by Nafess Siddiqui, Capt Akhlaq Hussain Abidi, Ms Amber Raza Nency, Prof Abdul Quadir Shaikh, Syed Rasheed Ahmad and Fauzia Ejaz Kazmi.
Briefing them on the security arrangements for maintaining law and order in the metropolis, the home secretary said sufficient number of police officials and rangers would be deployed at the polling stations. In addition, he said, extensive patrolling of police and rangers would be carried out for the purpose.He requested the candidates to strictly follow the code of conduct of the EC and extend cooperation to law enforcement agencies.
On the occasion, Nafees Siddiqui expressed certain concerns but, as they fell under the ambit of the EC, he was asked to approach the EC. His request for the deployment of rangers inside the polling stations was declined by pointing out to him that there had been no such precedent. However, he agreed not to deploy police officials inside the polling stations but the presiding officer could summon police inside the polling station to ward off any event which could lead to disruption of the peaceful conduct of polling.
The independent candidates present at the meeting expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements made by the government.
Meanwhile, the government has prohibited unlawful assemblies, taking out of processions and carrying and display of firearms in Karachi and Jamshoro for a period from Feb 9 to 11 under sections 144.
KARACHI, Feb 9: Stage has been set for holding by-election on Saturday in the National Assembly constituency (NA-250) in a peaceful atmosphere.
