Polling is underway for the by-elections in 18 districts across Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad, and will continue uninterrupted until 5 p.m. A total of 68 candidates are vying for 10 seats of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and General Member Ward positions in Karachi, where tight security measures are in place.
In Karachi, 167 polling stations have been set up, with 136 designated as highly sensitive. This includes 11 polling stations in UC 9 TMC Malir and all 31 stations in UC 7 TMC Liaquatabad, declared highly sensitive.
UC 8 TMC Model Colony's 21 polling stations are classified as sensitive, and in UC 13 TMC Sadar, seven polling stations are marked highly sensitive, five sensitive, and five as normal. CCTV cameras have been installed in the most sensitive stations, and police deployment is heavy, with 16 to 18 personnel at highly sensitive locations and 8 to 12 at sensitive ones.
Outside Karachi, polling is taking place in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Ghotki, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Naushahro Feroze. In Umerkot, Sanghar, and Shikarpur, polling was not held as the candidates were elected unopposed.
In Hyderabad, the polls are open for Chairman and Vice Chairman in UCs 125 and 140, as well as Vice Chairman and General Member Ward 1 in other constituencies. Similar contests are taking place in Sukkur, Nawabshah, and other districts for various seats.
In Ghotki, the race for the Chairman of Obaro Union Council Kum Shaheed has gained attention, with a tight contest between People's Party's Zulfiqar Chachar and independents Arbab Bohar and Siddique Kosh. The total number of registered voters in the Kum Shaheed Union Council is 11,273.
Security remains a priority as polling stations in sensitive and highly sensitive areas witness a steady turnout amidst close monitoring by local law enforcement.
