PML-N takes strong lead in by-polls as unofficial results pour in | The Express Tribune

Vote counting continued after polling concluded for by-elections in six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, with unofficial and unconfirmed results showing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leading in several key seats.

Polling took place in 13 constituencies, including NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad-II, NA-104 Faisalabad-X, NA-143 Sahiwal-III, NA-185 D.G. Khan-II, NA-129 Lahore-XIII, PP-73 Sargodha-III, PP-98 Faisalabad-I, PP-115 Faisalabad-XVIII, PP-116 Faisalabad-XIX, PP-203 Sahiwal-VI, PP-269 Muzaffargarh-II, and PP-87 Mianwali-III.

These seats became vacant primarily due to the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers convicted in cases linked to the May 9, 2023, riots that erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Unofficial, unconfirmed results of NA constituencies

According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, in NA-143 Sahiwal, PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Tufail Jutt has won with 136,313 votes, based on results from all 442 polling stations. Independent candidate Zarar Akbar trailed with 13,120 votes.

In NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan, unofficial results from 108 polling stations placed PML-N’s Mehmood Qadir Leghari in the lead with 40,527 votes, followed by PPP candidate Sardar Dost Khosa, who secured 19,008 votes.

In NA-18 Haripur, unofficial results from 161 polling stations showed PML-N’s Babar Nawaz in the lead with 44,707 votes, while independent candidate Sheher Naz followed with 28,469 votes.

In NA-129 Lahore, PML-N’s Hafiz Nauman led with 38,252 votes, according to unofficial results from 142 polling stations. PTI-backed candidate Chaudhry Arslan secured 17,047 votes, placing him in second position.

In NA-96 Faisalabad-II, PML-N candidate Bilal Chaudhry led with 63,957 votes, based on unofficial results from 153 polling stations. Independent candidate Malik Nawab Sher Waseer followed with 21,067 votes.

Unofficial, unconfirmed results of PA constituencies

In PP-269 Muzaffargarh, unofficial results from 63 polling stations showed PPP’s Mian Alamdar Qureshi leading with 23,227 votes, while independent candidate Iqbal Pitafi trailed with 13,444 votes. In PP-87 Mianwali, unofficial results from 96 polling stations placed Ali Haider Noor Khan in the lead with 44,944 votes, followed by Nawabzada Ayaz Khan with 2,622 votes.

In PP-98 Faisalabad, PML-N candidate Azad Ali Tabassum led with 28,907 votes, according to unofficial counts from polling stations, while independent candidate Muhammad Ajmal Cheema came second with 20,401 votes. In PP-115 Faisalabad, unofficial results from 68 polling stations showed PML-N’s Muhammad Tahir Parvez ahead with 12,431 votes, with independent candidate Muhammad Asghar securing 2,012 votes.

In PP-203 Sahiwal, unofficial results from 178 polling stations showed PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt leading with 44,965 votes, while independent candidate Falak Sher Dogar trailed with 10,321 votes. In PP-73 Sargodha, unofficial results from 89 polling stations placed PML-N’s Sultan Ali Ranjha in the lead with 28,704 votes, ahead of independent candidate Haris Ranjha, who received 4,091 votes.

PM congratulates Tufail Jutt on winning by-election

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Muhammad Tufail Jutt on his “resounding” victory in the NA-143 Chichawatni by-election.

In a statement, the Prime Minister attributed the win to the vision of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, his “exemplary leadership,” and the hard work of the party’s workers. “This victory in the by-election reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of the people,” he added.

He also praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying the win demonstrates public confidence in her tireless efforts for the province’s development.

“Undoubtedly, the victory in NA-143 shows that the people trust PML-N’s commitment to public service,” the prime minister said, describing the election result as a reflection of satisfaction with government performance.

The prime minister further urged Tufail Jutt to work tirelessly for the constituency and serve the public, saying, “He will represent the aspirations of his constituency and dedicate himself to serving the people day and night.”

Chairman ECP describes by-elections as ‘very peaceful’

The Chairman of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Sikandar Sultan Raja, thanked provincial governments for implementing effective security measures during the by-elections, noting that no extraordinary complaints were received.

Speaking to media representatives at the ECP, Raja described the by-elections as “very peaceful” and expressed gratitude to the governments of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for their support.

He added that by-election turnout is typically low due to various reasons, and that in this particular vote, there was no change in the “numbers game,” which contributed to lower public interest.

“The Commission has taken impartial action against those violating the code of conduct. While District Returning Officers (DROs) submitted some reports, the commission also took suo motu notice of certain complaints. However, no extraordinary complaints were received during today’s by-elections,” he said.

Raja further stated that Talal Chaudhry has been summoned and his hearing will take place on Monday. He recalled that during the local government elections, one minister and one candidate were disqualified for code of conduct violations.

Security measures

Tight security arrangements were implemented for the elections in accordance with Election Commission directives, with additional personnel deployed at sensitive locations. Special provisions have been made for the convenience of voters, including the elderly and women.

A total of 2,792 polling stations were established for the by-elections, with 408 designated as highly sensitive and 1,032 marked as sensitive. Over 20,000 security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order situation. Mobile phones were not permitted inside polling stations to ensure a secure and orderly voting process.

According to officials, all polling stations have walk-through gates and separate booths for women. Special ramps and staff have been arranged to assist the elderly and differently-abled citizens, facilitating smooth voting.

The Punjab government has deployed teams from the “Clean Punjab” initiative to manage sanitation at polling stations.

Control rooms were established by the Election Commission in Islamabad and the Punjab Election Commission to monitor the elections in real time, coordinating security and addressing any operational issues.Local representatives also expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.

Low voter turnout

Turnout in the NA-18 Haripur by-election remained extremely low, with candidates failing to bring voters to the polling stations. Polling stations wore a deserted look, and staff were seen waiting for voters to arrive.

With two hours remaining before the close of polling, the situation remained unchanged, and voter turnout appeared to be very low. At the Bank Colony polling booth, only 23 votes had been cast out of 1,036 registered female voters.

A female voter expressed frustration at the polling arrangements, saying, “Polling booths have been deliberately placed far away. I had to come all the way to Bank Colony from my residence in Choburji to cast my vote.”

Bilawal urges people to come out of their homes

Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a post on the social media platform X, urged people to come out of their homes and use their right to vote. “Two by-elections are being held today in southern Punjab,” Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said.

“Our candidate from PP-269 Muzaffargarh is Mian Almdar Qureshi,” he said. “From NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan, Dost Muhammad Khosa is the Pakistan Peoples Party candidate,” he added.

“I appeal to the people of Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan to come out, vote, and raise their voice,” Bilawal urged. He instructed party workers to remember that they must not leave the polling station without obtaining Form-45.

PTI alleges disruptions and rigging

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader, Moin Riaz Qureshi, visited several polling stations in NA-129 during the by-election on Sunday.

“99 per cent of our camps have been dismantled, and our voters and supporters are sitting at polling stations on chairs they have brought from home.”

Qureshi alleged that workers had been detained and that “police high-handedness has reached its peak”. He added that party volunteers had set up makeshift camps using tables and chairs from their homes.

He claimed that the party’s transport vehicles had been impounded by different police stations ahead of the election. “Fourteen of our workers are under arrest at Shadherah Police Station,” he said. Qureshi further alleged that all their camps at Samanabad’s Dungi Ground had been removed.

Chaudhry Arsalan, an independent candidate backed by PTI contesting in NA-129 in Lahore, visited polling stations today. “Complaints are coming in from various polling stations,” Chaudhry Arsalan said.

PTI’s Hammad Azhar has accused the Punjab police of reportedly disrupting a PTI camp at Pak Angel School in UC-100, NA-129. He added that party workers have started efforts to restore the camp.

Police have reportedly restricted media coverage at polling stations in NA-129 in Lahore, prohibiting the use of cameras and mobile phones.

“Our camps are being raided, and polling agents have been detained. I will personally visit the polling stations shortly,” he added. “Our voters have come out, and victory will be ours,” Chaudhry Arsalan said.

Meanwhile, PTI-backed MPA Mun Javed alleged rigging. “At most polling stations in the constituency, our people are being stopped. Complaints are coming in from everywhere, and we are visiting the sites,” he said. “When we go to inspect, they evade us. We will guard our votes everywhere,” Mun Javed added.

PP-269 Muzaffargarh scuffle

Voting at the Karamdad polling station in PP-269 Muzaffargarh was temporarily suspended due to a dispute between two groups. Law enforcement authorities confirmed that polling was resumed later.

A day earlier, PTI’s Hammad Azhar claimed that Form 45s were “missing” from the election material handed to presiding officers by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ahead of today’s by-election in Lahore’s NA-129 constituency.

“We are receiving reports that multiple presiding officers are missing Form 45s in the election materials they have received from ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) for the by-elections of tomorrow. This is a serious violation of the electoral process,” he claimed in a post on X.

The interior ministry has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces for security in all 13 national and provincial assembly constituencies, where by-elections are being held. A notification issued by the interior ministry said the approval followed requests from the ECP.

The civil armed forces will be deployed as “second-tier responders (standby/quick reaction),” whereas the troops of the Pakistan Army will serve as “third-tier responders (quick reaction force)” from Friday through Nov 24 (Monday).

Read Also: Mianwali gears up for PP-87 by-polls

Meanwhile, the ECP on Saturday barred media outlets from broadcasting unofficial results of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab by-elections until one hour after the close of polls.

The commission directed that only Returning Officers are authorised to announce official results, warning that premature reporting could mislead the public.

It further stated that media organisations must not air or publish unofficial results until at least one hour after the close of polling, and any results released thereafter must be clearly marked as unofficial and incomplete.

The ECP cautioned that violations of these instructions would be referred to the relevant authorities for disciplinary action. It reiterated that the final and official result of any constituency will only be issued by the concerned ROs.

With additional reporting by Waqas Ahmad and Bilal Ghauri