SANGHAR: Elaborate security arrangements have been made across Sanghar to ensure peaceful polling on Saturday for the union councils and committees where elections were originally scheduled for Nov 19, 2015 but had to be postponed twice mainly due to violent incidents.

The local government elections in Sanghar had to be postponed following an armed attack on polling day at Daraza Sharif in Khairpur district on Oct 31, 2015. Eight Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) activists along with five other people were killed in the attack and most of the victims hailed from Sanghar.

Polling in Sanghar was to be held in the second round on November 19 but was put off due to the political tension over the Daraza incident. The new date was fixed as Dec 18 but following a clash between PML-F and PPP supporters that left two PPP men and two policemen dead on Dec 15, the election was postponed till Jan 23.

Soon after the two incidents, many PML-F activists and Hur Jamaat followers were picked up. Off and off shutdowns were observed in Sanghar city and its adjoining towns against the killings and crackdowns. Protest demonstrations held in Sanghar, Khipro, Sinjhoro Shahpur Chakar, Khadro and other towns were mostly held by women -- a rare phenomenon in the largely conservative population of the district. Over 10 FIRs were registered at various police stations against the protesters and notables of the Hur Jamaat.

The FIR of the Sanghar killings was registered against PML-F activists, including the district president, Ghulam Dastagir Rajar chief organiser Kashif Nizamani. The others nominated in the FIR were two representatives (Khalifas) of Pir Pagara MPA Waryam Faqir and former MPA Ali Ghulam Nizamani. More than 100 women were also among those booked.

Sanghar, Sinjhor and Khipro have already been declared ‘most sensitive’ areas for the Jan 23 polling.

Election for the Tando Adam municipal committee is not being held due to a controversy over delimitation issue. Candidates for the Kandiaro town committee have already returned unopposed. Ninety-four other candidates -- six for district council seats, another six for the slots of chairman and vice chairman and 71 general councillors ­ have also returned unopposed.

Over 1,650 aspirants are vying for 620 seat of four municipal committees, 11 town committees and 72 union councils in the district.

A total of 692 polling stations have been set up; 330 of them declared ‘highly sensitive’ and another 227 ‘sensitive’.

The Sindh government has enforced Section 144 in the district while a local holiday has been announced for the Jan 23 polling.

Over 1,000 Rangers personnel, 9,000 policemen (including women personnel and commandos) have been deployed to maintain law and order while four companies of the army will remain standby, it was officially announced.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2016