QUETTA: On Sunday, independent candidates took the lead in 32 districts during the Balochistan local government (LG) elections, held after a prolonged gap of nine years. The unofficial results claim that independent candidates won 1,145 seats while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) took the lead on 130 seats followed by Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which won 72 positions.
The elections were carried in 32 districts having 4,456 wards (urban & rural) where 23,835 candidates participated. Around 5,226 polling stations were established, where 3,552,398 people cast their votes. Polling was suspended in a few stations as rival groups got involved in clashes, resulting in 30 deaths.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the elections a victory of democracy and praised the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
With LG elections in Balochistan, democracy stands strengthened. People's active participation in polls shows their trust in state institutions to provide security & ensure smooth conduct of polls. I admire law enforcement agencies for their role. Pakistan Zindabad
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 29, 2022
