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2023 Karachi local elections

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The 2023 Karachi local government elections were held in Karachi, Pakistan on 15 January 2023 to elect members of local councils. These members would then elect the Mayor of Karachi (2023-2027). These elections were the 3rd Karachi local government elections.

2023 Karachi local elections
← 2015 15 January 2023 2027 →
246 UC's out of 367 of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation
184 seats needed for a majority
TurnoutTBD
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Siraj ul Haq Imran Khan
Party PPP JI PTI
Leader since 2007 2013 1996
Leader's seat TBA UC-8 North Nazimabad UC-2 Jinnah Town
Last election 11.5%, 24 seats 3.5%, 7 seats 8.8%, 10 seats
Seats won 155 132 62
Seat change Increase 131 Increase 125 Increase 52
Popular vote TBD TBD TBD
Percentage TBD TBD TBD
Swing TBD TBD TBD
Results of each Union Committee (UC) in five of Karachi's seven districts
Structure of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation after the election
Mayor before election

Waseem Akhtar
MQM-L

Elected Mayor

Murtaza Wahab
PPP

Background

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In the 2015 elections, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan (MQM-P) won 64.5% of the votes and enough seats to elect their candidate, Waseem Akhtar, to the position of Mayor of Karachi. They were followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 11.5%, and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML(N)) with 9.2%.[1]

These elections are being held in the aftermath of a successful no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, which saw Shehbaz Sharif becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan with a coalition government of 9 parties, including the MQM-P, PPP, and PML(N).[2][3][4]

Merger of MQM factions

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Since the appointment of Kamran Tessori as the Governor of Sindh, efforts began to merge breakaway factions of the MQM-P like the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and the Farooq Sattar group back into the MQM-P to unite their vote bank to overcome the growing popularity of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).[5][6] The Mohajir Qaumi Movement Pakistan - Haqiqi (MQM-H) was also approached, but refused to merge the with the MQM-P.[7]

On the evening of 12 January 2023 Mustafa Kamal, the leader of the PSP, and Farooq Sattar announced their merger with the MQM-P in a press conference.[8]

Campaign

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sindh President Ali Zaidi announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will go solo unlike 2015 when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf allied with Jamat-e-Islami. He also announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will run their campaign under the slogan (Urdu: خودار خود مختار کراچی, romanized: Khuddar Khudmuktar Karachi lit. 'Dignified, Self-reliant Karachi'). Out of 246 UCs across Karachi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf fielded candidates for 241 UC's. PTI is contesting its senior leader Ashraf Qureshi from 2 UCs of Nazimabad Town. Ashraf Qureshi is a founding member of PTI from Karachi and is considered to be a backbone of PTI Karachi workers. He is one of the candidates for Mayor but the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan will ultimately decide the Mayor nominee.[9]

Jamaat-e-Islami

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Jamaat e Islami Karachi, led by Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman ran a focused campaign on ground (rallies and events) and on social and electronic media. They highlighted the atrocities that the Federal and Provincial Governments have committed against the people of Karachi by depriving them of basic necessities like water, electricity, infrastructure, public transport, green spaces, cleanliness, safety and security. Karachi is listed in one of the worst cities to live in Global Livability Index 2022 even though it gives highest tax in Pakistan. Other cities of Pakistan are growing rapidly while Karachi shows picture of a destroyed city due to some disaster. The campaign slogan (Urdu: حل صرف جماعت اسلامی, romanized: Hal Sirf Jamat-e-Islami lit. 'Jamaat e Islami is the only solution') took social media by storm. Local polls suggested Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman is the most popular leader and 58% Karachiites want him to become the next mayor.

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman submitted his nomination papers for Al-Falah UC-8 North Nazimabad.[10] Jamat-e-Islami had 233 Chairmen contesting in 246 Union Councils.

Timeline

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  • On 1 September 2020, local governments across Sindh were dissolved after completion of their terms.[11]
  • In December 2021, Government of Sindh announced that it would hold local government elections in February or March 2022.[12]
  • Later, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that the elections would be held on 24 July 2022.[13]
  • On 20 July, the ECP rescheduled the elections to 28 August, citing "possible rains and bad weather".[14]
  • On 24 August, the ECP once again postponed the elections due to rains and risk of urban flooding. According to a press release, "the new date will be announced when the weather conditions improve".[15]
  • On 14 September, the ECP announced the new date for the election to be 23 October.[16]
  • On 18 October, the ECP postponed the election for a third time, accepting a request from the Government of Sindh.[17]
  • On 22 November, the ECP announced the new date for the election to be 15 January.[18]
  • On 12 January, the Government of Sindh requested the ECP to postpone the elections. However, on 13 January, the ECP rejected this request and declared that elections would be held on 15 January, as scheduled.[19]

Voter Statistics

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Division S.No District Male Voters % Female Voters % Total Registered Voters
Karachi 1 Malir 448,263 57.26 334,584 42.74 782,847
2 Korangi 789,332 55.36 636,523 44.64 1,425,855
3 East 840,068 53.56 728,519 46.44 1,568,587
4 South 666,952 54.84 549,200 45.16 1,216,152
5 Keamari 469,501 58.77 329,404 41.23 798,905
6 West 539,793 58.69 379,955 41.31 919,748
7 Central 1,111,404 54.17 940,373 45.83 2,051,777
Total 4,865,313 55.52 3,898,558 44.48 8,763,871

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Composition

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Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has 367 members out of which 246 are directly elected by the people of Karachi. Karachi Division is divided into 7 districts, which are further divided into 25 Town Municipal Corporations and further divided into 246 Union Committees (UCs). All 246 UCs elect a chairman and vice chairman on one ballot and councilor on another ballot. Chairman UC of majority party will become the Mayor whereas Vice Chairmen will be members of the Town Municipal Corporation which will further indirectly elect 33% Women, 5% Youth, 5% Laborers, 5% Non-Muslims, 1% Disabled and 1% Transgender's members on reserved seats.

Every UC is divided into 4 wards which elect one councilor. 2 women councilors, 1 youth councilor, 1 laborer and 1 Non-Muslim councilor are indirectly elected.[20]

Union Committees by Towns and Districts
Division District Town Union Committees Reserved Total
Chairman

& Vice Chairman

Women Youth Laborers Non-Muslims Disabled Transgenders
Karachi Central Nazimabad 7 81 12 12 12 2 2
North Nazimabad 10
New Karachi 13
Liaquatabad 7
Gulberg 8
East Gulshan-e-Iqbal 8
Sohrab Goth 8
Chanesar Goth 8
Jamshed Town 11
Safoora 8
Korangi Shah Faisal 8
Korangi 11
Landhi 10
Model Colony 8
Keamari Baldia Town 13
Mauripur 11
Moriro Mir Bahar 8
Malir Malir 10
Ibrahim Hyderi 11
Gadap 9
West Orangi 8
Mominabad 9
Manghopir 16
South Lyari 13
Saddar 13
Total 7 25 246 81 12 12 12 2 2 367
Wards and Councilors by Towns and Districts
Division District Town Wards Reserved Total
Councilors Women Youth Laborer Non-Muslims
Karachi Central Nazimabad 28 56 28 28 28 168
North Nazimabad 40 80 40 40 40 240
New Karachi 52 104 52 52 52 312
Liaquatabad 28 56 28 28 28 168
Gulberg 32 64 32 32 32 192
East Gulshan-e-Iqbal 32 64 32 32 32 192
Sohrab Goth 32 64 32 32 32 192
Chanesar Goth 32 64 32 32 32 192
Jamshed Town 44 88 44 44 44 264
Safoora 32 64 32 32 32 192
Korangi Shah Faisal 32 64 32 32 32 192
Korangi 44 88 44 44 44 264
Landhi 40 80 40 40 40 240
Model Colony 32 64 32 32 32 192
Keamari Baldia Town 52 104 52 52 52 312
Mauripur 44 88 44 44 44 264
Moriro Mir Bahar 32 64 32 32 32 192
Malir Malir 40 80 40 40 40 240
Ibrahim Hyderi 44 88 44 44 44 264
Gadap 36 72 36 36 36 216
West Orangi 32 64 32 32 32 192
Mominabad 36 72 36 36 36 216
Manghopir 64 128 64 64 64 384
South Lyari 52 104 52 52 52 312
Saddar 52 104 52 52 52 312
Total 7 25 984 1968 984 984 984 5904

Parties

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Name Flag Symbol Leader
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf  
 
 Imran Khan  
Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan  
 
 Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui  
Pakistan Peoples Party  
 
 Bilawal Bhutto Zardari  
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan  
 
 Siraj-ul-Haq  
Pakistan Muslim League (N)     Shehbaz Sharif  
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)  
 
 Fazal-ur-Rehman  
Muhajir Qaumi Movement – Haqiqi  
 
 Afaq Ahmed  
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan  
 
 Saad Hussain Rizvi

Results

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Results by Union Committees (UC's)
Party Vote Share Union Committees Total
General Reserved Total +/-
Votes % Central East Korangi West Keamari Malir South Total UC's Women Youth Labour Non-Muslims Disabled Transgenders Grand Total Change
PPP 6 15 4 16 27 20 16 104 34 5 5 5 1 1 155   131
JI 38 19 23 6 - 3 - 89 29 4 4 4 1 1 132   125
PTI 1 9 8 9 2 4 9 42 14 2 2 2 - - 62   52
PMLN - - 2 - 3 2 - 7 3 1 1 1 - - 13   6
JUI (F) - - - 2 - - - 2 1 - - - - - 3   2
TLP - - - - - - 1 1 - - - - - - 1  
IND - - - - - 1 - 1 - - - - - - 1   10
MQM-H - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
MQM-P Boycotted - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   135
Total Valid Votes 45 43 37 33 32 30 26 246 81 12 12 12 2 2 367 -
Invalid/Rejected Votes Polling in 11 UC's postponed due to death of candidates.
Total Votes Polled

/ Turnout

Registered Voters[21] 8,763,871 100 [22][23]

Aftermath

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After declaration of results, Jamat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are likely to form coalition government in Karachi. Jamat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeem will become mayor. PPP leader Saeed Ghani said that PPP welcomes all parties except PTI for coalition and mayor election.[24] Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi said to support Jamat-e-Islami.[25]

After recount on 16 January, Jamat-e-Islami gained 2 UC's while People's Party lost 2.[26] Recount is still due on many UC's in which result is controversial.

FAFEN a prominent election watch organization raised questions about the transparency of the local elections in Karachi.[27]

Both PTI and JI joined hands against PPP. In a joint Press Conference, Ali Zaidi and Hafiz Naeem stated that PPP with the help of Sindh election commission rigged and changed result of many UC's[28]

By-elections were triggered by the resignations of dozens of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers and the dissolution of the assemblies in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.[29] The Election Commission of Pakistan had requested the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the army and the Lahore High Court (LHC) for providing soldiers and judicial officers for security and voting during the by-elections and the provincial assembly elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. GHQ declined the request due to overwhelming involvement in internal security challenges and the census, while the LHC declined due to a huge backlog of pending cases.[30]

By-Elections were held for 11 UC's of Karachi on Sunday 7 May 2023. People's Party won 7 UC's followed by Jamaat e Islami Pakistan which won 4 UC Chairman seats.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "A decade later, MQM on track to sweep LG polls in Karachi". Observatorio Electoral (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  2. ^ "Imran Khan ousted as Pakistan's PM after vote". BBC News. 2022-04-10. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  3. ^ "Pakistan assembly elects Shehbaz Sharif as new prime minister". The Guardian. 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  4. ^ Wasim, Dawn com | Sanaullah Khan | Amir (2022-04-19). "Ministers of PM Shehbaz Sharif's 37-member cabinet take oath". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  5. ^ "Karachi-based MQM factions in talks for merger". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  6. ^ "All MQM factions agree to unite, says Tessori". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  7. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2023-01-07). "Afaq not against merger of MQM factions, says governor". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  8. ^ Web Desk (2023-01-12). "PSP, Farooq Sattar formally announce merger with MQM-P". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  9. ^ "Optimistic about winning LG polls in Karachi, PTI opts to go solo". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  10. ^ "Karachi JI chief to contest LG polls from North Nazimabad". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  11. ^ Ayub, Imran (2020-09-01). "Local bodies across province dissolved after completion of term". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  12. ^ "Sindh local bodies elections may be held in February or March 2022: CM Sindh". Geo News. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Local bodies elections in Karachi, Hyderabad on July 24". Pakistan Observer. 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  14. ^ Chaudhry, Fahad (2022-07-20). "Sindh LG polls' second phase rescheduled for August 28 due to 'expected rains, bad weather'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  15. ^ Chaudhry, Fahad (2022-08-24). "ECP postpones second phase of local govt polls in Karachi, Hyderabad due to heavy rains". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  16. ^ "LG polls to be held on October 23 in Karachi". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  17. ^ Chaudhry, Fahad (2022-10-18). "Local govt elections in Karachi postponed yet again as ECP accepts Sindh's request". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  18. ^ Siddiqui, Syed Wasim | Naveed (2022-11-22). "After multiple delays, ECP decides to hold local govt polls in Karachi, Hyderabad on Jan 15". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  19. ^ Sadozai, Irfan (13 January 2023). "ECP rejects Sindh govt's request, says LG polls across province to be held on Jan 15 as planned". Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  20. ^ "What the new local government set-up will look like in Karachi". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  21. ^ "Registered Voters" (PDF). Election Commission of Pakistan.
  22. ^ Web Desk (2023-01-16). "Karachi LG polls: ECP releases complete results of 235 UCs". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  23. ^ "Karachi local body election results: Here's latest party position". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  24. ^ Web Desk (2023-01-16). "'PPP leadership to mull over giving Karachi mayor's slot to JI'". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  25. ^ "PTI rejects local body elections results, Jamat-e-Islami decries delay". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  26. ^ Khan, Hasnain Ali Banani | Sohail Rab (2023-01-15). "As votes recounted, PPP loses 2 UCs to JI in Karachi City Council". Aaj English TV. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  27. ^ "Rigging charges affected LG poll transparency: FAFEN". The Express Tribune. 2023-01-20. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  28. ^ "JI, PTI join hands against 'rigging' in Karachi polls". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  29. ^ "Khan's party to hold rally in Peshawar today to press for 'immediate' elections". Arab News PK. 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  30. ^ "PTI's protest".
  31. ^ PPP wins 7, JI bags 4 Karachi LG seats as unofficial results pouring in
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