HYDERABAD, May 11: Polling for general elections across Hyderabad division was held in a by and large peaceful manner on Saturday though amid charges and counter-charges of rigging and violation of the election commission’s code of conduct.

While violation of the code by candidates and their supporters created tension around various polling stations, mismanagement inside on the part of the election staff caused disruption in the polling process.

The polling at almost all stations started on time 8am and although the number of voters in Hyderabad city increased gradually, big crowds of voters thronged polling booths and stations early in Matiari, Hala and New Saeedabad. A large number of women voters, mostly belonging to poor families or peasantry, were seen queuing up in Hala. Their number continued to increase gradually despite scorching heat.

There were many instances where voters were brought to their respective polling stations by activists using different kinds of vehicles in violation of a ban on such practices.

Turnout of voters at different polling stations varied, between 30 and 40 per cent. At the polling station number 144 (female) in Matiari, polling had to be suspended and the presiding officer had to call in army to restore order after, according to him, women gate-crashed the booth.. However, no violent incident occurred in any part of the district till the polling was over.

There were complaints of inadequacy of stationery and even ballot papers with the election staff at some polling stations.

Pakistan Peoples Party candidate and the party’s old timer Makhdoom Amin Fahim cast his vote at PS-17 located in government boys high school Hala.

PML-F candidate for NA-218 Abdul Razaq Memon, contesting Mr Fahim, accused PPP women wing leader Shagufta Jumani of rigging at a polling station in Matiari where polling had to be suspended for some time.

In union council Shahmir Rahu — home town of Nazir Rahu who is contesting against Makhdoom Jamiluzzaman — unconcerned people were seen intruding some female polling booths.

Ms Jummani denied the allegation and also claimed that polling was not suspended, rather PPP’s opponents were trying to keep the polling process slow.

In Tandojam, local MQM leadership accused PPP candidate for PS-50 Sharjeel Inam Memon of manhandling the presiding officer, Sabir Mirani, at the polling station No.217. Mr Memon denied the charge and alleged that his rival candidate, Khawand Bukhsh Jahejo and Shahabuddin Shah Hussaini of the 10-party alliance were creating obstruction in the polling process.

Likewise, unconcerned people were seen moving freely at some police stations in Noorani Basti and Paretabad while men were spotted within the women polling booths. Similar scenes were witnessed in Qasimabad where rival candidates kept accusing each other of rigging.