KARACHI, Aug 22: Secretary General of the National Party Hasil Bizenjo on Monday claimed that his party had swept the local body elections in Balochistan.

He made the claim at a news conference at the Karachi Press Club.

Mr Bizenjo said the National Party and its allies had won Gwadar, Awaran, Khuzdar, Mastoong and Chaghi districts, adding that the ruling party and its allies could only secure five union councils. He rejected the government claim of victory in Gwadar. He believed such claims were made to influence the outcome of the second phase that would include Kech, Punjgoor and other districts on Aug 25.

Mr Bizenjo circulated a list of 21 UCs where, he claimed, NP-backed candidates were elected as Nazims and Naib-Nazims in the first phase.