By-poll runner-up booked for threatening officials

Sahiwan police registered a case against Awais Mahmood, runner-up in yesterday's by-election in PP-203, Chichawatni, and 26 supporters of his Tehreek-i-Ehsas Pakistan political party. The allegations stem from a complaint filed by Gulraiz Khan, the presiding officer of polling station No 102 at the Chak 102/12-L government high school.

The charges include threatening election officials, disrupting polling, and attempting to influence the process. Mahmood and his supporters allegedly entered the polling station, raised slogans, tried to seize ballots and counterfoils, and threatened officials to shape the voting outcome. They also pressured staff to produce videos and statements as per their demands.

Mahmood dismissed the accusations, labeling the case a political vendetta and claimed it stemmed from pressure from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He pointed out that 35 counterfoils lacked CNIC numbers, while ballots were already issued against them. According to Mahmood, he confronted the presiding officer, handed the counterfoils back, and reported the issue to duty DSP Fayyaz and SHO Amjad.

Despite his claims, the Returning Officer and District Police Officer stated the matter was a routine objection rather than a serious breach. Asad Hanif Jutt, a PML-N candidate, emerged victorious in PP-203, securing 41,912 votes compared to Mahmood's 25,106. The overall turnout was 27.2%.