KARACHI, Dec 22: Members of the Arts Council cast their ballots on Sunday to elect its office-bearers for 2003, and also members of its governing body.

Out of about 2,000 eligible voters, some 1,400 cast their votes. The turnout was thus 70 per cent. The polling, which got under way at 1pm, remained peaceful and orderly throughout.

The day had begun with the traditional general body meeting, which begun at about 11.30pm. During the meeting several allegations and counter-allegations were levelled at and by some members.

The ex-officio president of the cultural body, Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, had to intervene a number of times in an effort to restore order to the house.

During the meeting one member proposed that the correspondence to and from the members should be in Urdu. It was also proposed that the name of the cultural body should be changed to Idara-i-Farogh-i-Adab-o-Saqafat Pakistan.

One panel contesting the elections comprised: Saifur Rehman Grami (for vice president), Talat Hussain (for honorary secretary), and Rizwan Siddiqui (for treasurer).

The other panel comprised: Khush Bakht Shujaat (for vice president), Yavar Mehdi (for honorary secretary), and Ibrahim Nafees (for treasurer).

In addition, 12 members each from the two panels took part in the contest for places on the governing body.

Meanwhile, the Arts Council wore a festive look throughout the day as its members and families thronged its buildings, first to attend the general body meeting, and then to cast their votes.

Polling booths had been erected on the lawn of the Council. One queue was reserved for general members and the other for life members. No untoward incident was reported.

Several well-known people could be seen on the Council’s premises, including writers, poets and television and stage artists.

The polling ended at 9pm. The ballots were being counted and tallied till our going to press.