ECP seeks army's assistance during upcoming local govt, by-polls.

ISLAMABAD -- The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday sought Pakistan Army's assistance for a peaceful and smooth conduct of local government and by-elections in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

At least one person died and over a dozen injured in armed clashes between political workers of rival parties during the by-election in Karachi's NA-240 constituency last week. Likewise, political activists clashed at a polling office in Lahore's PP-167 constituency in Johar Town yesterday.

In a communique to Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja sought the deployment of troops during the NA-245 by-polls in Karachi, 20 constituencies of Punjab and in PK-7, Swat constituency, Express News reported.

The CEC hailed the role of the troops in ensuring exemplary security at the most sensitive polling stations during the...