By-election chaos: Faisalabad ballot paper goes viral, polling halted in Muzaffargarh

WEB DESK: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken strict notice of an incident in Faisalabad where a voter photographed their ballot paper and posted it on social media, an act that violates the secrecy of the vote.

According to the ECP, the image’s circulation prompted an immediate response from the central control room. The commission issued urgent directives to security agencies, instructing them to ensure that voters do not carry mobile phones inside polling stations under any circumstances.

Presiding officers across the affected constituency were also directed to reinforce all measures necessary to protect the secrecy of the ballot. “All polling staff must ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of the voting process is fully maintained,” the ECP said.

The ECP’s spokesperson also appealed directly to the public, urging voters to cooperate. “Voters are requested to refrain from taking mobile phones to the polling station,” he said.

The incident comes as by-elections take place today in six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, prompting heightened scrutiny of polling-day procedures nationwide.

MUZAFFARGARH POLLING DISRUPTED AFTER BRAWL

Meanwhile, polling in Muzaffargarh’s PP-269 constituency was briefly halted after a brawl erupted at Polling Station No 103, triggered by a shortage of ballot papers.

According to local officials, nearly 300 ballot papers were found missing, falling short of the required number for the 2,300 registered voters at the station. The discrepancy sparked heated arguments between supporters of PPP candidate Alamdar Qureshi and independent candidate Iqbal Pitafi. The confrontation escalated into a physical dispute, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend the polling process.

Election officials later confirmed that the situation was brought under control within minutes. Polling subsequently resumed at polling station Karamdad, with the Provincial Election Commission saying that the interruption was “a minor pause” and that voting has now returned to normal.

Security has been tightened in the area as the polling process continues under close monitoring.