Polling underway for by-polls on 41 seats

Polling in the biggest ever by-elections of the country on forty-one National and Provincial Assembly seats is underway throughout the country including one in federal capital Islamabad.

According to reports received so far‚ polling is underway smoothly and peacefully at all places and people are heading towards polling stations to cast their votes.

The polling which began at 08-00 in the morning will continue till 05.00 in the evening without any break.

The seats include fifteen of National Assembly and twenty-six provincial assemblies.

The Election Commission has postponed election for NA-25 D.I Khan-cum-Tank owing to security concerns.

Seven thousand six hundred and six polling stations have been established for the by-elections. Of these‚ 3‚080 have been declared normal while 2‚686 sensitive and 1‚840 highly sensitive.

The Election Commission has directed the returning officers to send unofficial results via fax immediately after the vote count and official results by using the computerized result management system.

The Commission has imposed ban on keeping mobile phones at the time of polling votes in the by-elections. Presiding officers have been directed to ensure secrecy of vote.

Troops have been deployed inside and outside of highly sensitive polling stations.

Commanding army officers deployed at the polling stations have been given powers of First Class Magistrate.

Counting of votes will begin immediately after the closing of the polling process and the concerned Returning Officers will provide final results of the constituencies to the Election Commission for the announcement.

The Election Commission has received preliminary report from the four Provincial Election Commissioners wherein they have expressed satisfaction over security situation at all the polling stations.

According to reports‚ ballot papers‚ ballot boxes‚ election materials and staff reached the concerned polling stations on time.

Radio Pakistan has made special arrangements for the coverage of the by-elections.

News and Current Affairs Channel of Radio Pakistan is broadcasting live reports.

News Unit of Radio Pakistan will announce the election results in the national and regional news bulletins.

Meanwhile‚ Acting Chief Election Commissioner‚ Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jilani visited some polling stations and viewed the polling process.

Earlier‚ Secretary Election Commission Ishtiaq Ahmed has said that all the arrangements for the bye-elections have been completed and staff has reached at the polling stations.

Talking in Aaj Ki Khabar Programme of Radio Pakistan‚ he expressed the hope that all people will come out to cast their votes like May 11 general elections.