The critical local government elections in Karachi’s 11 union committees have been held, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamaat-e-Islami vying for control over the city’s mayoral position. Preliminary unofficial results indicate that the PPP has secured five seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami has taken three.
These elections were carried out under strict security in 11 union committees across the Karachi division, with their outcomes potentially impacting the composition of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. Currently, the PPP is the largest party in the corporation, followed closely by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Unofficial results suggest that Jamaat-e-Islami won the chairmanships of UC-3 in Korangi and UC-6 in North Nazimabad. At the same time, the PPP triumphed in UC-2 Baldia in Keamari District, UC-2 Bihar Colony in District South, and UC-2 Korangi.
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Elections were held in several union committees across Karachi. The PPP had previously expressed concerns about the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) scheduling these elections ahead of mayoral elections, arguing that it would set a bad precedent. However, the ECP dismissed the PPP’s concerns.
In Sindh province, elections were also held for the remaining 63 local body seats across five divisions, despite sporadic incidents of violence in various parts of the province. Voting took place in cities such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, and Khairpur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the ECP allowing voters inside polling stations to cast their votes even after 5 p.m. deadline.
It should be noted that elections were not held in some areas for various reasons, including the death of certain candidates.