The election campaigning, as per election rules, will come to an end on Aug 16 (Tuesday).
Ballot papers and other election material have already been despatched to the returning officers. Likewise, training of presiding and assistant presiding officers was also over on Monday in all the 11 districts of the province where elections are to be held on Aug 18.
According to Election Commission sources, under the code of conduct for local body’s elections, it has been ensured that the campaign should not be taken to the pitch of polarization among different groups which could lead to destabilisation of the system.
Mock polling was also organised in some towns for training of the presiding officers.
In 18 towns of Karachi, there are 8,464 candidates in the run for 2,233 seats in 178 UCs as 81 candidates have already returned uncontested.
In Karachi city district, where there are 4,722,936 registered voters, 3,728 polling stations have been set up and an equal number of presiding officers and 42,519 assistant presiding officers has been appointed to supervise the elections.
The civil administration, besides mobilising 95,000 personnel of police, rangers and Frontier Constabulary, has also made arrangements for army flag march and extensive patrolling so that in emergency, the army could be deployed to control the situation.
In addition the administration has decided to install 150 video cameras at vintage points in the city to monitor the proceedings.
The other 10 districts where elections will be held in the first phase are: Thatta, Tando Allahyar, Ghotki, Naushero Feroz, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Mirpurkhas, Omarkot, Sanghar and Tharparker.
In the city district and all 10 other districts of Sindh polling will be held between 8am and 5pm to elect 589 councils, comprising 7,657 members, including 589 panels of Nazim/Naib Nazim.
Almost all mainstream opposition parties, including former City Nazim, have been demanding deployment of army at the polling stations for ensuring sanctity of ballot box. However, the Sindh government has planned flag march of the army on the eve of and on polling day.
The army would be on standby duty so that the troops could be used in any unforeseen emergency to control the situation.
For holding elections in 178 union councils in Karachi city, 40 returning officers and an equal number of AROs, have finalised arrangements at the polling stations.
In Karachi West, for 968,437 voters, 716 polling stations have been planned with 2,544 booths. In Karachi Central, for 1,212,783 voters, 962 polling stations would be set up, with 3,565 polling booths. In East, for 1,251,588 voters, there would be 1,041 polling stations with 4,028 polling booths.
In Karachi South, for 769,531 voters, there would be 529 polling stations with 2,116 polling booths.
In Malir District, for 520,597 voters, there would be 480 polling stations with 1,920 polling booths.
Election postponed
KARACHI: The Returning Officer (UC 1-4) Lyari Town has announced that due to murder of Abdul Karim Naqshbandi, a candidate from UC-2, Daryabad, for the category of Nazim and Naib Nazim has been terminated. Whereas, the election in respect of the remaining categories shall be held according to schedule.—APP