KARACHI: The Sindh government in early hours of Thursday postponed the scheduled May 19 re-polls in some polling stations of Karachi’s NA-250 constituency due to security concerns, DawnNews reported.
In a letter written to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Sindh government has apologized on failing to conduct the re-polls in the much debated constituency of the metropolis citing serious security concerns.
The Election Commission had announced re-election in some 43 polling stations of a national and two provincial assembly seats from Karachi.
Polling was postponed in the said NA constituency on May 11 due to reports of alleged rigging and absence of electoral staff and material.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had rejected the ECP’s decision on Tuesday and has been staging a protest sit-in outside the commission’s building in Karachi ever since.
The party wants to see re-poll in the whole constituency rather than as they say in only 43 ‘posh’ polling stations.
On the other hand, MQM’s opponents – Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) – are protesting for re-polling across the city.
Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, in the latest development, has announced to call off their sit-in till the ECP comes to a decision regarding the petition filed by the party on the issue.
Speaking to the party protesters, Dr Farooq Sattar said they will decide the further course of action after the ECP's verdict later on Thursday.
