FAISALABAD, April 28: A record number of ballot papers (5,123,000) have been supplied for the referendum against 3,154,716 people of 18 years and above, it is learnt.

The population of Faisalabad is 5,479,547.

In the local bodies elections held on May 31, 2001, there were 2,811,819 people (18 years and above) eligible to cast vote in the district.

The number of eligible voters has come to 3,154,716 for the referendum on April 30, 2002.

For the first time in the history of the district, around 3,040 polling stations have been set up to facilitate voters while establishment of more stations in the factories, having 500 or more employees, is on the cards.

Those assigned to conduct polls have not been given any guidance by the officials concerned.

Tandlianwala area presiding officer Muhammad Ayub complained the functionaries had plunged the official into problems as they had provided neither any guidance for conducting the process nor proper training.

“The returning officer concerned has directed us to follow the printed material to be supplied for guidance,” he added.

He said he had already supervized five general elections and had been given proper training and instructions in black and white. However, he said they had been kept in dark for the first time.

Meanwhile, Assistant Returning Officer District and Sessions Judge Sher Zaheer Ahmad said in case of rush at polling stations, mobile squads would serve the purpose of extra booths.

In line with the instructions of the election commission, announcements would be made in the mosques under the arrangements of local Auqaf officials to inform the people of the polling stations nearest to their houses.

SHOT DEAD: An army man was shot dead on Sunday by his rivals over an old enmity at Chak 5-JB.

Muneer Ahmed had come to see his parents when armed men opened fire on him, killing him on the spot.

Nishatabad police have registered a case against Tariq, Shafqat, Asif, Azam and Rizwan and are investigating.

Meanwhile, a councillor of the Jaranwala union council was axed to death by five assailants over a minor issue.

Muhammad Bashir was sitting outside his house along with a dozen other people when Barkat, Anwar, Qamar, Noor Ahmed and Aslam came there and attacked him with axes. He received critical wounds and died on the way to hospital.

Jaranwala police have registered a case.