Internet-call service stopped in Punjab-Balochistan, Army deployed…By-elections being held on 21 seats in PAK.

Pakistan Election Updates: Internet and call services have been stopped in many cities including Punjab and Balochistan of Pakistan, because by-elections are being held on 21 seats there. This has been done to maintain peace and order during the election process. However, the administration had already issued an advisory regarding this. A day earlier, the government had said that cellular and internet services will remain closed in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan during the by-elections. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that this decision has been taken in view of the election process. At the same time, on the request of the Election Commission, Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces have been deployed at the polling place. Even after this, clashes broke out between workers of political parties at many polling places.

Let us tell you that elections were held in Pakistan only on 8th February. In this, voting took place for the National Assembly and 4 provincial assemblies. During this period, voting was canceled on one National Assembly seat, two Punjab Assembly seats and one seat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The candidates who won from many places chose only one seat after the elections, hence the Election Commission of Pakistan has to hold by-elections on 21 seats. These 21 seats include 5 national and 16 provincial assembly seats.

Where are the by-elections being held?
In Pakistan, by-elections are being held on 5 National Assembly seats, 12 Punjab Assembly seats, 2 each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Assemblies and one seat in Sindh Assembly. Voting started at 8 am in the morning and will continue till 5 pm. At the same time, Kasur and Lahore seats in Punjab were left by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. While Shahbaz has also given up his two provincial assembly seats in Lahore.

Pakistani army also deployed
Pakistan Election Commission had demanded Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces to maintain peace. The notification said that CAF and Pakistan Army will be deployed for security in all 21 constituencies till April 22.

There were reports of clashes from many places
As soon as voting started. An argument broke out between workers of Sunni Ittehad Council and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in NA-199 constituency of Lahore. Police said the clash took place at polling station number 171 of Lahore College. The workers caught hold of each other and even dragged them. However, the police somehow handled the matter. Meanwhile, there was a clash between SIC and PML-N workers in PP-139 constituency in Sheikhupura. They also beat each other and three people got injured. The police took two people into custody. In another incident, workers of two political parties clashed with each other and broke the windows of cars.