Polling concludes in Bahawalpur's NA-168 by-election

The voting process for the by-election in Bahawalpur's NA-168 constituency concluded on Sunday without incident. PML-N's Malik Munir Iqbal Channar and independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema were expected to face off in a tight race. The seat had become vacant following the death of the incumbent, Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, in August. Channar's son was now representing the ruling party.

Polling took place between 8am and 5pm, though voters could continue casting their ballots past 5pm. Election Commission of Pakistan spokesperson Huda Gohar confirmed that the process was largely peaceful. However, there were some disruptions, including a brawl at a polling station in Akhtarabad that involved alleged harassment of election staff. The situation was quickly resolved by the Provincial Election Commissioner Control Room, with assistance from local police.

The constituency had a total of 483,143 registered voters, comprising 248,259 men and 234,614 women, spread across 292 polling stations. On polling day, 307 presiding officers and 941 polling and assistant presiding officers were deployed at the stations.

Prior to the election, the Punjab Home Department had requested federal authorities to deploy military and Rangers personnel to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and secure election. Earlier, three individuals were injured on September 12 in an armed clash during Cheema's election rally in Baqirpur. The altercation occurred amidst supporters of rival candidates, with some resorting to gunfire, resulting in injuries.