HYDERABAD, Aug 26: DRO Zaheeruddin Leghari has ordered fresh polls in seven polling stations, four of Hyderabad city taluka and three of Tando Mohammad Khan district.

He said there were complaints of bogus voting, rigging and snatching of ballot boxes, ballots, stamps and other election material in the second phase of local body elections on August 25.

It was learnt through local election commission sources on Friday that the DRO had sent a formal communication under Rule 25(2) of the Sindh Local Government Election Rules 2005 to the Provincial Election Commission after he received complaints of rigging from different returning officers of Hyderabad and Tando Mohammad Khan districts.

The DRO, who is also officiating as the DRO for newly- created Tando Allahyar, Matiari and Tando Mohammad Khan districts, had earlier called for fresh polls in six polling stations of UC 2 and UC-4 of newly created district of Tando Allahyar after disturbances were reported in the first phase of elections on August 18.

Mr Leghari informed the PEC that complaints were received from PS-11 in UC Saeed Matto Bulri Shah Karim taluka, PS-31 Sobho Khan Chandio of UC Ghulam Shah Bagarani and PS-12 of UC-3 Tando Mohammad Khan city, PS-43 (men) and women PS-54 of UC-4 Hyderabad city taluka PS-195 (men) and PS-199 (women) of UC 16 of the same taluka.

The third additional district and sessions judge, Mr Manzoor Hussain, the RO for UC-4 submitted complaint to the DRO that in two PSs of UC-4 polling came to an end after unidentified people forced their entry into PS-43 (men) Silawat Mohalla and PS-54 (women) Jamal Shah jo Pir.

They took away ballot boxes, stamps and other election material during closing hours of polling.

In an identical complaint the sixth additional district and sessions judge, Mrs Munawar Sultana, the RO for UC-16 taluka city informed the DRO that a group of unknown people barged into the PS-195 and PS-199 of the said UC at around 1: 45pm and 2:15pm, respectively.

They snatched ballots, ballot boxes and other material meant for polling, she said.

She said that an FIR had also been registered with concerned police station against the miscreants.

The RO of PS-11 UC Saeed Matto, Bulri Shah Karim taluka, stated in a complaint to the DRO that polling staff including presiding officer Kanjhi Mal did not arrive at polling station whereas in PS-31 of Sobho Khan Chandio a mob entered the PS, disallowing entry even to the RO and voters.

The RO informed that polling staff had cast bogus votes at this PS while other eligible voters were denied entry.

Likewise, the RO said at PS-12 of UC-3 Tando Mohammad Khan city candidate for UC Nazim Khalil Memo found ballot boxes with already polled votes.

These votes included 610 for seat of nazim and 234 of other categories.

After going through the complaints the DRO sent a communication to the PEC that fresh polls should be ordered in all these polling stations.

Results of these polling stations had not been issued by the RO concerned for want of re-polling, the date of which would be announced by Election Commission of Pakistan.