QUETTA: Independent candidates have managed to win the trust of the Balochistan people in the local government elections held in the province after nine years, a huge setback to conventional political parties.

“So far, unofficial results have been announced. No major political party has raised any objection on the local government elections, which is a big achievement for the ECP,” secretary Umar Hameed said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Local government elections in 32 districts of the country’s largest province were held on May 29, with over 100 women taking part as candidates for general seats for the first time in Balochistan’s history.

The official results would be announced on June 3.

Independent candidates won more than 1,800 seats, according to the unofficial vote count by Wednesday noon.

• Independent candidates – 1,890 seats
• Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam: 480 seats
• Balochistan Awami Party: 310
• Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party: 142
• National Party: 151
• Balochistan National Party-Mengal: 102
• Pakistan Peoples Party: 135
• Balochistan National Party-Awami: 68
• Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: 71
• Awami National Party: 44
• Jamhoori Watan Party: 19
• Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz: 20
• Jamaat-e-Islami: 16

The ECP has ordered re-polling at the stations where irregularities such as taking staff hostage, broken ballot boxes, and illegal activities were reported. Polling was not conducted in as many as 102 polling stations – out of the total 5,226 – set up in 32 districts, according to Supreme Court orders.

The tenure of the local government in Balochistan ended in January 2019.

Polling schemes in 32 districts

• Kalat Division: Awaran, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Surab
• Loralai Division: Bakrhan, Dukki, Loralai, Musakhel
• Mekran Division: Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur
• Nasirabad Division: Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Kacchi, Nasirabad, Sohbatpur
• Quetta Division: Chaman, Killa Abdullah, Pishin
• Rakhshan Division: Chagai, Kharan, Nushki, Washuk
• Sibi Division: Dera Bugti, Harnai, Kohlu, Sibi, Ziarat
• Zhob Division: Killa Siafullah, Sherani, Zhob