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Karachi prepares for local body elections amid heightened security
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- Web Desk
- Nov 14, 2024
KARACHI: Karachi is preparing for supplementary municipal elections on Thursday (today), with by-elections scheduled for ten local body seats across six districts.
Polling will take place in districts South, West, Central, Kemari, Malir and Korangi. It will start at 8 am and conclude by 5 pm.
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Security measures have been intensified, with 136 of the 167 polling stations classified as “highly sensitive”. Similarly, 26 polling station were labelled as “sensitive”, while a mere five were considered “normal”.
Eleven polling stations in union council (UC) 9 TMC Malir were marked as highly sensitive, while eight polling booths were also classified similarly in UC 8 TMC Model Colony.
Security measures have been taken, with CCTV cameras installed at all highly sensitive polling station. The measure aims to deter criminals and provide undeniable record of activities during voting hours.
Each of the “highly sensitive” polling station will have between 16 to 18 officials present, while “sensitive” polling booths will have between 8 to 12 security personnel deployed.
Police and rangers are deployed at polling stations every time elections are held in Karachi to maintain order.
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The local body elections are important for the city of 18 million as it is the economic centre of the country. The local government elections allow resident to participate in governance at community levels, so their needs can be addressed.