LAHORE: By-elections are underway on 13 seats of the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly, though several constituencies saw a low voter turnout during the morning hours.
According to media reports, unusual scenes were witnessed in NA-18 Haripur where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) camps remained deserted. Workers were seen holding cups of tea as they waited for voters to arrive. At Khullah Butt polling station, empty PTI booths and unattended chairs reflected the lack of activity.
In contrast, media reports indicated a strong show of enthusiasm for PML-N candidate Babar Nawaz Khan at various polling stations. Public sentiment in some areas suggested the atmosphere resembled a “referendum” in favour of PML-N. Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari also claimed PTI booths were deserted, saying people had rejected “politics of chaos and hatred” and now preferred voting for development-oriented leadership.
Also Read: By-elections: Polling begins for 13 NA, PA constituencies
Speaking to the media, she added that voters were no longer swayed by hollow promises, noting they had learned to distinguish between good and bad governance.
PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan, during visits to different polling stations in NA-18, told the media that turnout was low in the morning but was gradually rising. He said polling remained peaceful and expressed hope it would conclude smoothly. He expected turnout to reach between 45 and 50 percent.
He accused the PTI-led provincial government of openly supporting its candidate, alleging that even the chief minister took part in the campaign — a move he termed inappropriate. He further claimed that an “absconding individual” was included in the campaign, calling it an act of wrongdoing and stating that such people should not be endorsed by the chief minister.
Babar Nawaz also asserted that PTI’s rally drew around 2,200 participants, whereas his final rally attracted “more than 10,000 people.” He expressed confidence in winning by a significant margin.
Meanwhile, provincial parliamentary leader Akbar Ayub Khan also cast his vote in favour of Sehrish Umar Ayub.
Polling and Security Arrangements
Polling began at 8am across the country and will continue until 5pm. These by-elections became necessary after several PTI lawmakers were disqualified following the events of May 9, 2023, leaving multiple seats vacant.
National Assembly Seats (6)
NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96, NA-104, NA-129 (Faisalabad, Lahore), NA-143 (Sahiwal) and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan)
Punjab Assembly Seats (7)
Elections are also being held in PP-73, PP-87, PP-98, PP-115, PP-116, PP-203 and PP-269.
According to the Election Commission’s guidelines, army personnel have been deployed outside the most sensitive polling stations, while police, Rangers, and rapid response units are stationed at other locations. Over 20,000 police personnel are on duty across Punjab, with more than 6,500 overseeing security in Faisalabad alone.
Punjab Police stated it was on “high alert” and had adopted a “zero tolerance” policy for any violation of the code of conduct. Polling activities are being monitored live through Safe City Authority systems and designated monitoring rooms.
Key Electoral Contests
The most keenly watched contest is in NA-18 Haripur, where PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan is facing Sehrish Umar Ayub, wife of former opposition leader Umar Ayub. Media reports suggest Babar Nawaz holds an advantage.
In NA-96, PML-N’s Bilal Badr Chaudhry faces three independent candidates, while NA-104 also features a tough contest involving PML-N’s Daniyal Ahmed and independent contenders.
In Lahore’s NA-129, Chaudhry Arsalan (grandson of the late Mian Azhar) is up against PML-N’s Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman. In NA-143, PML-N’s Muhammad Tufail Jutt faces Zarrar Akbar Chaudhry, and in NA-185, PPP’s Dost Muhammad Khosa is contesting against Mehmood Qadir Khan Leghari.
Punjab Assembly Races
In the Punjab Assembly constituencies, PML-N candidates appear to hold an edge in PP-73 (Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha), PP-87 (Ali Haider Noor Khan), PP-98 (independent Ali Tabassum backed by PML-N), PP-115 (Muhammad Tahir Pervaiz), PP-116 (Ahmed Shehryar), and PP-203 (Muhammad Hanif Jutt). PPP’s Mian Almdar Qureshi is seen as the leading contender in PP-269.
Overall, polling across the country has remained largely peaceful and orderly. However, analysts believe low turnout and internal party divisions may impact final results. Unofficial results are expected to start coming in soon after polling ends at 5pm.
