Violence has marred the polling process in Lahore, Ferozewala and Zafarwal, as clashes erupted between rival political factions, resulting in the killing of one person and arrests and injuries to others.
A brawl broke out between workers of the PML-N and PTI workers in Zafarwal’s constituency, PP-54, wherein a 60-year-old man was killed after a baton hit his head.
As a result of the clashes, polling was stopped at the Kot Naju polling station.
A 60-year-old man, said to be a PML-N worker, injured during the dispute, died in the hospital during treatment. Rescue sources said Muhammad Yousaf was hit with a wooden stick on his head.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari expressed condolences over the death of a PML-N worker. She remarked that the PTI thugs had shown their thuggery as usual, adding that the Punjab Police should immediately arrest the killers of party activist Muhammad Yousuf.
On the other hand, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal met with the family of the deceased PML-N worker and condoled over his death. “We will never tolerate the politics of bullying and violence,” he declared, vowing that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.
Lahore
In Lahore’s NA-119 constituency, tensions flared between workers of the Sunni Ittehad Council and the PML-N at Polling Station No. 171 near the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). The dispute reportedly centred around the set-up of a camp, escalating into a physical altercation.
Police arrested PTI workers from NA 119 Punjab! No0ne will be able to say that this is free & fair election!
Police intervened and arrested four individuals in connection with the incident. A heavy contingent of police reached outside the polling station along with officials of Elite Force. “All workers should show patience for a peaceful election,” SP Dr. Abdul Hanan said.
Ferozewala
Meanwhile, in Ferozewala’s PP-139 constituency, a confrontation between two groups outside the Government High School Nizampura turned violent, with gunfire being exchanged. Three people sustained injuries during the altercation.
Law enforcement authorities swiftly moved in, arresting two suspects and suspending the polling process at the affected polling station. However, later the polling process resumed after over three hours.
Sadiqabad
Workers of two political parties engaged in a clash outside the Mohib Shah polling station in PP-266 of Sadiqabad. During the clash, the windowpanes of a car parked nearby were shattered.
Police said polling was stopped for some time due to the incident, and the clashing workers were arrested.
Kasur
Supporters of the PML-N and Sunni Ittehad Council got into a physical brawl at polling station 311 in Khudian Khaas of NA-132 constituency here.
The workers of both parties slapped each other for allegedly stopping women from casting their votes. Police team reached the spot.
Wazirabad
As the polling process in PP-36 of Wazirabad is underway in 185 polling stations with only two hours to go until it ends, three people have been arrested by the police over fears of disturbance of peace.
The clashes have raised concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process in these areas. Both incidents have underscored the simmering tensions and rivalries that often characterize election days in the country.
Polling for by-elections in 21 constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies across the country has commenced at the scheduled time of 8am and will culminate at 5pm.
By-elections are being held in five constituencies of the National Assembly and 16 seats of three provincial assemblies. At some polling stations, a large number of presence of voters is being reported, while some paint a deserted look even a couple of hours into the polling process.
