By-election in PB-8: Sibi witnesses tense polling atmosphere

The by-polling process in a tense situation continued in PB-8 constituency in the Sibi area of Balochistan on Sunday, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

Four candidates are taking part in the by-elections, namely Ali Ahmad from Pakistan Tarheek-e-Insaf (PTI), Noor Mohammad Shah from Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Kohiyar Doomi from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and an independent candidate.

Heavy contingents of Frontier Constabulary (FC), police and levies performing their duties at the polling stations.

The provincial assembly seat was declared vacant due to death of PPP MPA Sarfraz Doomki.

An independent candidate expressed his concerns over the poor law and order situation during the bye-election.  He said that he brought the whole situation to the notice of the Quetta Election Commission and district returning officer.

He said that Quetta administration miserably failed to perform their legal duties and responsibilities. On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate Kohiyar Doomki strongly rejected these irregularities in by-elections and said that his opponents used baseless allegations.

Sibi Ittehad boycotts polling process

The nominated independent candidate of Sibi Ittihad Mir Asghar Kahan Marri has announced to boycott the polling process. Addressing a press conference, Asghar Marri alleged that Sibi Ittihad polling agents were prevented from going to Lahri in the by-election. 

Asghar Marri alleged that in the by-elections, all the government machinery, ruling Pakistan People’s Party and the Chief Minister of Balochistan are openly supporting our opposite candidate, Sardar Kohyar Khan Domki.

One Tehsil Lahri of the Constituency has been made no-go area, Mir Ashar Marri said. Not a single polling agent was left in 39 polling stations of Tehsil Lahri, Mir Asghar Khan said. In Tehsil Lahri, the democratic system was sabotaged by the armed men sitting on the roads, he alleged.

He further alleged that such civil servants have been posted to the polling stations who were campaigning in favor of the PPP candidate. Due to the partiality of the government machinery, the youth of Balochistan and Sibi have lost confidence in parliamentary politics, Mir Asghar Khan Marri said.

If the Election Commission was to conduct the selection, then the election should be stopped, Mir Asghar Khan said. He said the alleged rigging plan in the by-election was made a month ago. Such attitudes will worsen the situation in Balochistan, Mir Asghar said. 

He said that unfortunately, democracy and democratic system are being strangled in every era in the country, Mir Asghar Khan said. Boycotting the by-elections does not matter for the ruling circles, but it will prove to be the first drop of rain against this system, Mir Asghar Khan Marri concluded.

Reporter: Essa Tareen