KARACHI, May 14: An election cell set up in the Sindh High Court for coordination with returning officers on public complaints has so far received over 30 complaints pertaining to polling.

Official sources said that the cell also received various complaints over the phone that polling staff and polling material especially ballot boxes had not reached certain polling stations of Karachi, mainly in district south.

According to the sources, Muhammad Shahid Shafiq, the district returning officer of NA-250 constituency, filed a complaint with the election cell that a few culprits and activists of a political party had abducted the polling staff of 25 polling stations of NA-250.

He reported to the SHC election cell that he received complaints regarding threats given to the election staff by a political party.

He also reported that the he also received complaints that the election staff of 25 polling stations in NA-250 was also made hostage and tortured.

The DRO stated that the polling could not begin in time in many polling stations, as the polling staff and polling material did not reach the polling stations.

Another complainant, Dost Muhammad Rahimoon who contested NA-230, stated that the votes cast in over 15 polling stations were set on fire and the polls were rigged openly by his political opponents in Tharparkar.

He complained that the Election Commission of Pakistan had failed to hold free and fair elections in his constituency.

The sources said the complaints of rigging received by the election cell in the SHC also included those sent by several candidates of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

They said that all the complaints would be referred to the ECP for taking actions in this connection.

The sources said a comprehensive report regarding the complaints received by the election cell would also be placed before SHC Chief Justice Mushir Alam for his perusal.