Ruling Parties Interfering in Local Government Elections; Combined Polling Stations and Delay in Results Unacceptable: Nasrullah Zere

**Quetta:** Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party (PkNAP) Provincial President Nasrullah Khan Zere has accused ruling parties of openly interfering in the local government elections and attempting to sabotage a free, fair, and transparent electoral process through various tactics aimed at avoiding the polls.

Addressing large public gatherings and inauguration ceremonies of election offices in Khilji Colony, Pashtoonabad, Kotwal, Takhtani Bypass, Kuchlak, Ghabarg, and other areas, Nasrullah Zere said that after a long gap, local government elections are being held in Quetta, but unfortunately government-backed parties are misusing state resources during their election campaigns. He alleged that MNAs, MPAs, and ministers are openly inaugurating development schemes and holding ribbon-cutting ceremonies, which is a clear violation of election laws and the code of conduct.

PkNAP leaders stated that written complaints regarding these violations have been submitted in a timely manner to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the District Returning Officer (DRO), and Returning Officers (ROs). However, no effective action has yet been taken against MPAs and ministers in Quetta, raising serious questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission.

The speakers also expressed grave concern over the establishment of more than 360 combined (male and female) polling stations in Quetta for the first time during local government elections. They said such arrangements would create difficulties for voters and give the impression of a well-planned attempt at systematic rigging. In a conservative social environment, the leaders argued, combined polling stations undermine women’s right to vote by denying them separate and secure voting facilities.

Furthermore, the party leaders criticized the Election Commission’s decision to announce election results two days after polling, calling it incomprehensible and contrary to the basic principles of electoral transparency. They stressed that under election laws, vote counting and result announcements should be completed immediately after polling, and that unnecessary delays could give rise to suspicions of rigging and irregularities.

The PkNAP leadership demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan immediately withdraw the decision to establish combined polling stations, take strict action against MNAs and ministers involved in the misuse of state resources, and ensure that the results of the local government elections are announced on the night of December 28. They said these steps are essential to ensure a transparent, free, and credible electoral process.

Other party leaders, including Raz Muhammad Watanpal, Ubaidullah Sunzar, Abdul Manan Durrani, Ismatullah Achakzai, Hanan Khan Durrani, Jahangir Khan Khilji, Yousaf Khan Suleman Khel, and Abdul Khaliq Altaf, also addressed the gatherings.

Concluding their remarks, the speakers said the Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party firmly believes in serving the public through local government institutions. They urged voters to fully support the party’s candidates in the local government elections and to cast their votes in favor of PkNAP by stamping the party’s election symbol, the bunch of grapes, as a sign of commitment to democracy and patriotism.