PML-N claims victory in Bahawalpur by-poll
BAHAWALPUR: PML-N candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar was leading independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema in the NA-168 (Bahawalpur-V) by-election at most of the 292 polling stations until late Sunday, according to unofficial results. Mr Channar had secured 62,713 votes against Mr Cheema’s 31,293, suggesting that the ruling party was set to retain the National Assembly seat that fell vacant…
Bahawalpur witnessed a closely contested by-election as Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, the candidate from the PML-N party, appeared to be ahead of independent challenger Wali Dad Cheema in the NA-168 constituency. According to unofficial results, Channar had garnered 62,713 votes compared to Cheema's 31,293 votes, indicating a strong likelihood that the ruling party would maintain their hold on the National Assembly seat.
The election process, while generally peaceful, encountered a few hiccups. At one polling station in Akhtarabad, a stronghold of the PML-N, there was a brief disruption when voters reportedly got involved in a brawl following alleged harassment of election staff by political workers. However, the situation was swiftly resolved with the assistance of police, and polling resumed under the guidance of the district returning officer.
Voter turnout initially lagged, with limited participation early in the day. However, as the polls opened for longer, an uptick in voter turnout was observed. Rural polling stations, especially those near Jhnagiwali and Abbasnagar – considered key strongholds of the Channar family – saw a significant number of voters.
Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, contesting as the son of the late MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, alleged that some individuals had interfered with the voting process by tampering with ballot papers to favor his rival. He claimed that these individuals were removed from the polling booth and that proceedings resumed after a delay. On the other hand, voters at a polling station in Bahawalpur's 3-Marla Housing Scheme alleged that police officials prevented voters from the Yazman area, a bastion of Wali Dad Cheema's support, from voting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Channar and his brother Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, the incumbent deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly, on their victory. The statement emphasized the public's confidence in the PML-N and hailed the peaceful conduct of the election.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
