Polling was underway on Wednesday for by-elections on 28 local government seats across 14 districts of Sindh, including three districts of Karachi.

According to a spokesperson for the Election Commission, polling began across the province at the scheduled time and will continue uninterrupted until 4pm.

Polling is being held in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Matiari, Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Badin, and Thatta.

The total number of registered voters is 243,187, including 133,038 men and 110,154 women., according to the Election Commission.

In Karachi, candidates backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are contesting for five local government seats.

In Karachi’s Orangi Town UC-1, polling could not begin at several polling stations.

The EC spokesperson said that strict security arrangements have been made in all districts, and security measures have been enhanced at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations.

The Sindh Election Commissioner has instructed officials to remain vigilant to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.

The spokesperson urged the public to reach polling stations without fear and exercise their right to vote.

He also emphasised that the strict implementation of the electoral code of conduct must be ensured.

He added that a monitoring room has been established at the office of the Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh, which will remain active throughout the election process and until the results are received.