KARACHI, Dec 16: Great enthusiasm was seen in the Arts Council election on Sunday as M. R. Kiyani Road and Deen Mohammad Wafai Road leading to the council remained packed with the cars and other vehicles of voters during the voting timings.

The main rivals in the election 2007-08 are the Hashmi Panel led by Masood Hashmi and Funn-o-Saqafat Panel headed by Zaheer Khan. Mr Hashmi and Mr Khan are candidates for the post of vice-president. Ahmed Shah and Mehmood Ahmed Khan of the Hashmi Panel, and Hasan Zaheer and Naila Jafri of the Fann-o-Saqafat Panel are vying for the posts of honorary secretary and treasurer, respectively.

Counting of votes was under way till last reports came in. It was announced that results would be declared officially on Monday.