UPPER DIR, May 11: People of Upper Dir on Saturday used their right to vote to elect their representatives for one national and three provincial assemblies on Saturday.

The turnout was comparatively higher as voters started to queue the polling stations even before start of the polling.

As all the political parties had on Friday entered into an agreement to bar women from voting, females were nowhere to be seen at the 294 polling stations of the district. But, a lone woman defied everyone and cast her vote in Katan area of Usherai. There were also reports that women cast votes in Bela and Jabbar areas.

Activists of different parties exhibited enthusiasm as they had established camps outside the polling stations, though many violated the 500-metre ban.

In Tormang, a polling station in NA-33, activists of PPP and PML-N clashed and exchange fire. Three persons, one from PPP and two from PML-N, were injured in the incident. The PML-N alleged PPP activists were convincing voters to vote for them outside the polling station.

CHITRAL: The polling process in Chitral concluded in a peaceful atmosphere in all the 257 polling stations.

The turnout was high as compared to the previous elections while women polled their votes with great ease and enthusiasm. Local police said no clash between voters of parties was reported from any part of the district.

BUNER: The polling for NA-28 and Pk-77, PK-78 and Pk-79 was held in peaceful atmosphere. However, the female turnout remained low despite political parties’ insistence to encourage women voters to cast their votes.

A few incidents of exchange of hot words among parties workers and polling agents were reported in some polling stations, including Dagai school (male polling station) and government school Baja (female polling station).

Overall the voters took interest in the polling and cast their votes while waiting in long queues. The police and security personnel stood alert at the poling stations to avert any eventuality.

MALAKAND: The people of Malakan protected area used their right to vote to elect their candidates peacefully as no untoward incident took place during polling.

Except few polling stations the voting started at the stipulated time. The people waited in long queues for their turn to cast vote.