Activists of rival political parties came face-to-face in Karachi’s Landhi area earlier today as polling was underway in the metropolis for the third phase of the local bodies’ elections.
Reports of clashes, scuffles and electoral irregularities were reported from different parts of the city as citizens exercised their right to franchise to elect local government representatives.
Unknown men torched two motorbikes in Landhi No. 1 area, completely destroying the vehicles. Video footage also showed a white vehicle, the glass windows of which appeared to have been smashed by arsonists.
The condition was said to be critical in Landhi as additional contingent of Rangers and police personnel was called in to the area where law enforcers were currently trying to bring the situation under control.
Female voters and supporters also came face-to-face during polling in parts of Lyari and Orangi Town areas of the city.
In Orangi Town’s UC 28, two people were injured in a minor scuffle during polling. Both men were shifted to a hospital.
Three men said were arrested in Soldier Bazar area for attempting to illegally enter a polling station with fake presiding officer and polling staff cards.
A Rangers spokesman said the men, who were posing as polling staff, belonged to a political party and were sent to jail on a three-month sentence.
In Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s Union Council (UC) 29, police were forced to resort to aerial firing when rival political workers scuffled over accusations of fake votes being cast at the polling station.
