KARACHI, Pakistan: The Sindh government has announced public holiday in its eight districts going for first phase of the local bodies polls 2015 on Saturday.
Authorities told on Thursday that all government and private institutions will remain closed in Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad and Kashmore to facilitate optimum public participation in the exercise.
Adequate security arrangements, they said are already in place and this would be further strengthened to avoid any untoward situation.
During the exercise people will elect their representatives at District Council, Union councils, Union Committee, Municipal Corporation and Municipal Committees levels respectively.
Polling for second phase of local government elections will be held in Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu and Jamshoro on November 19.
Other districts in Sindh to go for polls include Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushehro Feroz, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar.
Local bodies polls in six districts, all pertaining to Karachi will be held on December 3, said the official.
Under the current arrangement, there will be a chairperson, vice-chairperson and four general councilors from each union councils (in rural areas) and union committee (in urban areas).
As per new rules for voting under Sindh Local Government (Third Amendment) Bill 2015 people will be directly electing only chairperson, vice-chairperson and four general councilors.
The elected chairperson, vice chairperson and councilors belonging to each of the union council or committee would elect non-muslim councilor as those contesting against reserved slots for women, youth and labourer.
Provincial government authorities cite the arrangement a prudent measure that would facilitate voters and help avoid unnecessary confusion due to plethora of votes to be caste at a single given time.
Source: APP
