Re-polling was held in 43 polling stations in Pakistan's violence-plagued city of Karachi today in the shadow of the brazen killing of a founder member of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party and strong protests by the Mutthaida-e-Qaumi Movement workers.
Re-polling in 43 polling stations was ordered following allegations of vote-rigging during the May 11 general elections.
Polling in the upmarket south districts under tight security was marred by strong protests by the MQM workers in Karachi and Hyderabad, as PTI chief Imran Khan blamed the murder of Zahra Shahid Hussain on MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
A low turnout at many polling stations was noticed as compared to the thousands of people who had come out to vote in the general elections in the same constituency of NA250.
"The low turnout is because the Election Commission of Pakistan should have given more time for re-polling. There was confusion among the people whether the re-polling will be held after the murder of Zara Shahid last night," a PTI supporter said in Delhi colony.
But police officials at different stations said the low turnout was also because of firing incidents in the city since night and protests in some areas.
"There are around 3,000 registered voters but only 30 votes have been cast until now," another police officer said at a polling station in Defence phase five.
Given the tense situation in the city, a heavy contingent of Police, Rangers, and military personnel were present at these polling stations to provide security.
Convoys of the Army, comprising 2 to 4 vehicles, were patrolling various areas of NA-250 constituency.
On the eve of the re-polls there was tension and fear in the city after PTI's senior vice-president Hussain was killed outside her residence last night.
Imran's statement holding the MQM chief directly responsible for the killing sparked a strong reaction from the MQM which in a press conference after midnight accused Imran of being politically immature and advising him not to fall prey to elements out to disturb peace in the city.
MQM workers, including students, came out in large numbers in Karachi and Hyderabad to protest Imran's statement and demanded an apology as shops and markets remained closed in the areas where the re-polling was being held.
In Hyderabad, PTI leader Muhammad Usman said that his house and hotel were attacked early morning and he was harassed and threatened.
Usman's car was set on fire while several shops near his houses were broken in to.
The ECP ordered re-polling at the 43 stations where votes could not caste properly on May 11 due to mismanagement and allegations of rigging and absence of polling staff.
The MQM and Pakistan Peoples Party have boycotted the re-polling today.
