Polling remained smooth in Railways colonies

LAHORE
Smooth voting recorded in the different polling stations of Railways colonies while the returning and presiding officers appreciated the district management arrangements and army control in the vicinity of polling stations.
It is considered that the PTI candidate Aleem Khan has relatively strong hold in Railways colonies as he had provided some basic amenities, including sewerage and electricity supply during his tenure when he was MPA from PP-147. On the other hand, the PML-N candidate Ayaz Sadiq has also effective influence in this area due to his continuous services.
The locals of the areas during the survey said that Ayaz Sadiq had helped them in employing their kids in Railways and other departments.
On Sunday, polling likewise other polling stations of the NA-122 started slowly. Till lunchtime, around 20 percent turnout was recorded in polling stations of the locality. However, there is no official lunch break during the polling but the political parties ensured the lunch to their polling agents. By the afternoon, slight improvement in turnover was recorded, but not encouraging.
The railways colonies and other adjacent localities are the financially weak people living area of the constituency as compared to the others. So their problems are different than the rest of the constituency. The railway colonies of lower staff also face the same issues of clean drinking water, sewerage and others likewise other low-lying areas of the city.
The army officials deputed at the polling stations strictly not allow anyone to carry cell phone with him while come for casting the vote. Similarly, other people, political workers, other than polling agents were allowed to enter the premises of the polling stations. At some polling stations even media persons who have permission from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by issuing verified cards were barred to enter the polling stations. Similarly, the army officials did not allow the media officials to carry their cell phone, cameras or other recording devices with them inside the polling stations.
The charged political workers in the railways colonies established their camps side by side or in front of each other while the chances of fight emerged many times there which was amicably resolved with the intervention of deputed police officials, and elder workers of the both parties. The most unfortunate situation was recorded for the PPP whose candidate Amir Hassan is contesting election from this constituency where from previously Benazir Bhutto had won. The camps of PPP were empty even not a single worker was seen there. Even PPP polling agents were not seen in some polling stations as well.