Punjab by-elections: Six arrested in violent clashes outside polling stations

LAHORE:  Violence marred the polling process in Lahore and Ferozwala, on Sunday as clashes erupted between rival political factions, resulting in arrests and injuries.

In Lahore’s NA-119 constituency, tensions flared between workers of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at Polling Station No. 171 near the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). The dispute reportedly centered around the set-up of a camp, escalating into a physical altercation.

Police intervened and arrested four individuals in connection with the incident.

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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.

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.

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Polling for by-elections in 21 constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies across the country has commenced at the scheduled time of 8 AM and will culminate at 5 PM.

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. – INP