Polling for the first phase of local government elections has ended across northern Sindh with some incidents of clashes and rioting being reported.
The polling began at 8:00am today and continued until 5:00pm without any pause.
The polling was done in 14 districts of northern Sindh, including Sukkur, Kambar-Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushehro Feroze and others.
Elections in the rest of the districts of Sindh would be held on July 24, ECP officials said.
Meanwhile, incidents of clashes and attacks were also reported in Pano Aqil area of Sukkur district.
At least 13 people, involved in riots, were arrested in Pano Aqil, said a spokesperson of the Election Commission of Pakistan. He said that an attempt to stop the polling was foiled timely.
In another incident, seven polling staffers were abducted in the Kandhkot area of Kashmore.
In Naushero Feroze, the voting process was stopped temporarily when clashes erupted between two rival groups. At least four people were injured.
In Kandhkot, opponents attacked the vehicle of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader and candidate for the municipal committee Shoukat Malik with batons, breaking its windscreen early morning.
CCTV cameras had been installed at the sensitive polling stations by the district administrations.
