KARACHI: Polling for the first phase of the much awaited Local Government elections have begun in the Punjab and Sindh provinces.
The polling began at 7:30 AM on Saturday and will continue till 5:30 PM in 12 districts of Punjab and 8 of Sindh.
There were reports from some districts of Sindh that the polling staff did not show up for conducting the vote exercise which is being dubbed as the most important elections aimed to devolve power to the grass roots level.
However, long queues of people were witnessed at a number of polling stations where they would exercise their right to vote.
Special security arrangements have been made to ensure that the poll exercise is conducted in a peaceful manner. In this regard section 144 CPRC has been imposed which also bars all from carrying and sporting weapons. Rangers and police personnel will remain deployed throughout the day at polling stations which have been declared sensitive.