SARGODHA, Aug 17: Keeping in view expectations of voters, candidates in Sargodha and Khushab have hired cars and wagons to bring them to polling stations. There was a demand for air-conditioned vehicles as well because of heat and humidity.

There were also reports of voters demanding money and articles of daily use from candidates. Muhammad Husain of Millatabad (Sargodha) reportedly received a bicycle from a candidate and assured him that he would manage 12 votes of his family for him.

Candidates were also seen preparing lunch for their voters and polling agents.

In two union councils of the city, including UC 141, candidates were ready to offer anything to get votes, including a motorbike for 50 votes, new cell phone with connection for 10 votes and Rs 5,000 for displaying symbol atop a house.

The violations of code of conduct were brought into the knowledge of returning officers and district returning officers who forwarded all the complaints to the Election Commission.

In both districts heavy weights hailing from the PML are opposing each other.

In Sargodha, battle between the camps of MNA Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana and federal parliamentary secretary Mian Mazhar Ahmad Qureshi was heading for a bloody clash.

NGO’s Hassan Baloch and Rubina Feroze Bhatti expressed concern over ‘ignorance’ of polling staff about the joint electorate. In village Khadri, Khushab, male voters in a panchayat decided to keep the female voters away from polling in protest against the previously elected representatives who failed to provide facilities.