HYDERABAD/NAWABSHAH: A day after Hyderabad chapters of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) in their separate press conferences objected to the relocation of certain polling stations far away from voters’ constituencies to the benefit of each other’s rivals, Grand Democratic Alliance supporters held a protest demonstration in Khipro on Tuesday over similar ‘manipulation’ in Sanghar.

The protesters criticised the district returning officer (DRO) for relocating various polling stations of PS-41 Sanghar-II to a place some 70 kilometres away from voters’ area. They alleged that move was aimed at supporting PPP in the election its supporters resided in the changed place.

They pointed out that the new place was highly sensitive due to frequent violent incident in which many people had been killed in years-long hostility between Rajars and Marris.

They urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to undo the change.

Only on Monday, PPP’s contesting candidates for Latifabad’s NA and PA had urged ECP to take notice of the relocation the constituencies’ polling stations to far flung areas.

Speaking at a news conference in the Hyderabad Press Club PS-62 Latifabad candidate Jabbar Khan and NA-219 candidate Ali Mohammad Sahito accused returning officers concerned of committing excesses against PPP voters.

Jabbar Khan said that voters of some villages in these constituencies had always been required to vote at the polling station usually set up in Govt Boys Primary School, Bachal Shoro. But this time it was shifted some 17km away from the area in Government Boys Primary School, Adal Noonari.

He said that the polling station of Govt College, Kohsar, was initially set up in Karokhau but in the final list it was seen some 20km away in Govt Boys School, Allah Bux Solangi. Similarly, he added, the polling station set up in Govt Boys Primary School, Allah Bux Brohi, was established in Govt College, Kohsar, which was also 20km away from the concerned block.

He claimed that even transformers were being removed from his area at the instance of his rivals [MQM-P] and certain polling stations were being unnecessarily declared sensitive.

In their press conference, MQM-P candidates Sabir Kaimkhani and Aleem Khanzada from the same constituencies alleged that some polling stations in their areas had been changed despite publication of the final list. They pointed out that the polling station No.127 of Haris Panhwar Goth was shifted to Husri. They urged the ECP to cancel the relocation.

They said cameras should be installed at all polling stations and the polling station No. 239 should be set up in Haris Panhwar Goth instead of Husri’s Govt High School. They called for deployment of Rangers at all sensitive polling stations.

Meanwhile District returning officer and deputy commissioner Sanghar Imran ul Hasan Khuwaja told Dawn that 901 polling stations had been established for two national and five provincial assembly seats in Sanghar.

He said that 99 percent polling stations on PS 41 Khipro were same as of 2018 general elections and the local bodies elections and only changes were made on one percent polling stations as per applications received.

He informed that the one percent change polling station matter was also pending in high court as the changes were challenged by both the parties.

The decision of honourable high court would be implemented, he said and added that all political parties were equal for him and he was unbaised.

He said that the declaration of normal to sensitive and highly sensitive polling station was the domain of police and the allegations levelled on him were baseless.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2024