ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan ordered on Thursday deployment of Rangers in and outside polling stations during the by-election in NA-246 (Karachi) scheduled to be held on April 23.

The official in-charge of the Rangers at each polling station would enjoy the powers of the first class magistrate to conduct summary trial of offenders, an ECP official told Dawn.

Since the beginning of the election campaign, tension prevails in the constituency where several clashes have taken place between supporters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the main contenders for the seat.

The seat fell vacant after Nabeel Gabol, who had won as an Muttahida Qaumi Movement candidate in 2013 elections, resigned days before a raid was conducted by the Rangers at 90, the MQM’s headquarters located in the area.

For the coming contest, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has fielded former Hyderabad district Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil as its candidate. Other aspirants include Imran Ismael, a founding member of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Rashid Naseem of Jamaat-i-Islami and Usman Moazzam Siddiqui of Pasban.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had been seeking deployment of army at the polling stations, saying its voters and polling staff need protection.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2015

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