Following the implementation of Section 144 on Sunday to restore law and order in the province, voting for the crucial by-elections for the 20 constituencies of the Punjab Assembly ended at 5 p.m. in most districts.
However, the chief election commissioner (CEC) has allowed “all voters present on the premises of polling stations to cast their votes even after 5pm” because there are approximately 4.58 million voters eligible to exercise their right to vote in the by-elections.
In these 20 constituencies, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) set up 3,131 polling places, of which 676 have been designated as highly sensitive and 1,194 as sensitive.
“Attack on Fawad Chaudhry’s vehicle”
According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, during the Lahore by-election, police and the local government encouraged an attack on the vehicle of the former information minister Fawad Chaudhry.
A miscreant attacked Fawad’s vehicle while he and former finance minister Shaukat Tareen were visiting polling places in PP-168 to observe the voting process, according to PTI Central Punjab Information Secretary Musarat Jamshed. The miscreant was later apprehended from the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) Pakistan camp.
She claimed that police had acted as a bystander and had shielded the attackers who shattered Fawad’s car’s windshields. Nevertheless, she continued, the PTI leader was secure throughout the assault.
Jamshed emphasised that it is concerning that the PTI’s central leader was attacked in the midst of a significant police presence.
In PP-272, police show up to “arrest” Gill.
PP-272 in Muzaffargarh received a large police presence, ostensibly to apprehend PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. The veteran of the party stated in a tweet: “I don’t fear getting arrested. Soldiers for Imran Khan are not frightened of such strategies. I’m willing to be arrested because we are not here to commit acts of terrorism.”
PP272 میں پولیس کی بھاری نفری پہنچ گئی۔ شہباز گل ایک فیکٹری میں محصور۔
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) July 17, 2022
میں گرفتاری سے نہیں ڈرتا۔ عمران خان کا سپاہی ہوں ایسے ہتھکنڈوں سے خوفزدہ نہیں ہوتا۔ ہم دہشتگردی کرنے نہیں آئے میں گرفتاری کے لئے تیار ہوں۔ https://t.co/M30fiqd9Di
Imran Khan, the chairman of the PTI, and senior leader Shireen Mazari have vehemently denounced the arrest and called it a “fascist act.”
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548627127787855874%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2366272%2Fbattle-royale-in-punjab-vote-count-underway-as-balloting-ends-in-crucial-by-polls
https://twitter.com/ShireenMazari1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548629267939856384%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2366272%2Fbattle-royale-in-punjab-vote-count-underway-as-balloting-ends-in-crucial-by-polls
Disputes occur
As the polling process continues, some unpleasant incidents have also been reported. The Election Commission Control Room received six complaints about fights involving voters and political staff, three of which were immediately resolved, according to the commission’s spokesperson, who added that “authorities are taking steps to control the situation.”
In a statement, CEC Sikander Sultan Raja threatened “strict action” against anyone “involved in creating issues in the election process” and warned that candidates who engage in such behaviour “may also be disqualified.”
Political workers reportedly started fighting at the Panjar voting location in Rawalpindi.
Punjab government
Attaullah Tarar, the Punjab government’s spokesperson and home minister, has also taken note of the conflict that erupted in PP-158 Lahore. He claimed that while he was ordering the arrest of the PTI leaders, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and Saeed Mahis severely injured a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
PTI supporters carrying illegal weapons in Sheikhupura checked on report and subsequently arrested.
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) July 17, 2022
اطلاعات تھیں کہ شیخوپورہ میں پی ٹی آئی کے کارکنان اسلحہ لے کر پھر رہے ہیں اور امن خراب کرنے کی کوشش کریں گے۔ موقع پر کارروائی کرتے ہوئے ، گرفتاری عمل میں لائی جا چکی ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/knULiJMzD5
Rana Naeem, a PTI employee, was also detained by the police after he injured a PML-N employee’s head at an irrigation canal polling place.
At the UC Dharmapura polling place in the same constituency, a brawl broke out between PTI and PML-N employees. As he explained why the brawl started, the PTI polling agent accused the police of being biassed and claimed that “the police is allowing PML-N workers to enter, while I am being stopped despite the fact that I am a polling agent.”
Changes to the voting area drew complaints from voters in the same constituency. Residents of Nai Abadi Garhi Shahu, Saqleen and Yasir Mehmood, declared, “I am a PTI supporter, and our vote has been changed. Our vote was moved to the Shalimar PP-148 area, which does not have voting facilities. Additionally, he claimed that all PTI voters in PP-158 had their votes transferred to PP-148.
Following protests between PTI and PML-N employees, voting was also suspended in PP-168 for a while.
Malik Nawaz Awan, a candidate for the PTI, also went to the polling place as reports of people being stopped from voting at polling place 60 spread.
In front of the Basti Syedan Shah polling place in Lahore, an armed man named Abdul Rehman has also been detained. A mini-rifle was found on the accused, who is reportedly a private guard for a local man named Dr Maarif.
PTI and PML-N blame-game
The PTI is allegedly trying to “stop voting by inciting violence, sowing fear, and firing,” according to Khawaja Saad Rafique. The PML-N leader asserted in a tweet that “PTI’s armed goons” were “arrested along with ammunition” in Lahore today.
https://twitter.com/KhSaad_Rafique?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548569242206777345%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2366272%2Fbattle-royale-in-punjab-vote-count-underway-as-balloting-ends-in-crucial-by-polls
Shahbaz Gill, a senior PTI leader, has claimed that there are ongoing attempts to rig the election because “police clearly acts as a PML-N wing.”
Additionally, he shared a video of the incident and stated that the councillor from the PTI camp had been “threatened and then arrested.”
He claimed that the ECP was complacent in the attempts to rig the election in a subsequent tweet, claiming that “four million voters were [falsely] recorded dead [and] the names from voter lists were added to other constituencies.”
“If there is a name [on the list], it is not allowed to vote,” he continued, accusing the electoral watchdog of tampering with voter lists.
صرف بیس صوبائی حلقوں میں الیکشن ہے اور الیکشن کمیشن کی صورتحال یہ ہے کہ چالیس لاکھ ووٹروں کو فوت شدہ بنا دیا
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) July 17, 2022
ووٹر لسٹوں سے نام دوسرے حلقوں میں ڈال دیئے گئے
نام ہے تو ووٹ ڈالنے نہیں دیا جا رہا
اگر جنرل الیکشن ہوتے تو کیا صورت حال ہوتی؟#بلے_پہ_ٹھپہ pic.twitter.com/T3rqRt6mey
The ECP refuted the claims made by the PTI leader and stated that the “CEC has issued clear directives to Chief Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab that no retaliatory action should be taken against any civilians or ordinary persons otherwise the ECP will take strict action.”
Additionally, he had commanded that “all practicable measures be taken to ensure transparent voting in Punjab.”
https://twitter.com/ECP_Pakistan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548561002232365057%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2366272%2Fbattle-royale-in-punjab-vote-count-underway-as-balloting-ends-in-crucial-by-polls
It is significant to remember that the PTI had previously expressed concerns about voting list changes, and the ECP had referred to those claims as nothing more than “propaganda” meant to mislead the electorate.
In a statement, a representative for the electoral watchdog added that the by-elections were being held in accordance with the prior lists.
After PTI leaders and former federal ministers Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry announced in several press conferences that they would challenge the pre-poll rigging in the by-elections by adding unidentified voters to the lists, the ECP issued the statement.
Media are not permitted to record footage in PP-7
The moderators forbade the media from reporting on theThe Government Secondary School Matore in Kahuta’s presiding officer told the media that “orders from above” prevented the media from entering the stations, but he added that “Rawalpindi media representatives can come without their cameras.”
Additionally, he stated that "police will be called if media personnel attempt to record footage of the polling place."
Twittering for the win
On his official Twitter account earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reminded voters of “the corruption, incompetence, economic destruction, facilitation and patronage of the mafia and the destruction created in the name of change during the 4 years of the dark era of Imran Niazi government.”
پنجاب کےضمنی انتخابات میں اپنا ووٹ ڈالتےہوئے عمران نیازی حکومت کےپونے 4سالہ سیاہ دورکی کرپشن،نا اہلی،معاشی تباہی،مافیہ کی سہولت کاری و سرپرستی اورتبدیلی کےنام پر برپا کی گئی تباہی کےبارے ضرور سوچیئےگا. پاکستان PTI کےدور میں اپنی منزل سےدور ہوگیا،اسکا اظہار آپ نےاپنے ووٹ سےکرناہے
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 17, 2022
In a celebratory tone, the senior PTI leader, Fawad Chaudhry urged voters “not to wait” and “come out and vote”.
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548542078036201474%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2366272%2Fbattle-royale-in-punjab-vote-count-underway-as-balloting-ends-in-crucial-by-polls
Miftah Ismail, the leader of the PML-N and the current finance minister, urged Punjab to support the PTI “if you are satisfied with the performance of the Buzdar government.“
اگر آپ کو بزدار حکومت کی 4 سال کی کارکردگی پسند ہے تو پی ٹی آئی کو ووٹ دیں۔ اگر آپ کو لگتا ہے کہ صوبائی حکومت قیمتوں پر نظر رکھے، سستا آٹا اور چینی فراہم کرے، سڑکوں، ہسپتالوں اور اسکولوں کی تعمیر اور دیکھ بھال کرے، آپکے محلے کو صاف ستھرا رکھے، تو پی ایم ایل این کو ووٹ دیں۔
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) July 17, 2022
Imran Khan, a former prime minister and leader of the party, also posted a message on his official Twitter account urging “all those, especially our women, who have yet to cast their votes to do so as this is an election for Pakistan’s sovereignty & Haqeeqi Azadi.”
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548588717862014977%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2366272%2Fbattle-royale-in-punjab-vote-count-underway-as-balloting-ends-in-crucial-by-polls
CEC will “immediately act”
In addition to directing law enforcement agencies to “not allow any violations of the law or violent incidents,” the chief election commissioner (CEC) urged voters to “vote for their favourite candidates today” in order to “not only strengthen democracy but also bless Pakistan with stability.”
Should any violations occur, the CEC instructed law enforcement to “take immediate and strict action without discrimination.” He also gave instructions to “register the case with the commission immediately if an incident occurs where the election commission is the competent authority.”
More police officers were reportedly called in to maintain order in the constituency after reports of a dispute between political workers in Rawalpindi.
PTI and PML-N
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) engaged in contentious campaigning for the 20 seats of the Punjab Assembly ahead of the elections, so the results of the by-elections could serve as a bellwether for Pakistan’s upcoming general elections.
These seats became vacant after the ECP disqualified PTI rebel lawmakers in response to a petition filed by the late prime minister Imran Khan.
It is important to remember that PTI dissidents were responsible for the province’s change of government, which is now led by Hamza Shehbaz.
Even though the polls appear to be too close to call, the PML-N appears to have more favourable odds than the PTI, despite finding a wider echo for its message.
The secret number
In the Punjab Assembly, the PTI currently holds 163 seats on paper. The number of these drops to 162 because Deputy Speaker Muhammad Dost Muhammad Mazari is very unlikely to support the party.
Its total strength is 172 when 10 seats held by the PML-Q in the province are added (minus one).
It’s interesting to note that the PML-Q is a federal government ally of the PML-led administration.
There are 175 votes total for the PML-N. Following the resignations of MPAs Faisal Khan Niazi and Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri just hours before the election, the party lost two seats. Without him, the PML-N would have possessed 177 seats. The previous number game has been changed by the circumstance.
Test of Imran’s popularity
The results of the election will be a gauge of Imran Khan’s popularity as the leader of the PTI and the deposed prime minister.
Analysts had earlier remarked that the PTI chairman would be able to evaluate the success of his campaign for public support through the results of the election.
Political commentator Hasan Askari stated that if he wins, “he will claim that “people are with me” and increase pressure for new elections.”
Khan “will definitely call it a rigged election” if he loses, he continued.
Since being removed from office, the former premier has attracted large crowds to rallies all over the nation by making protracted speeches in which he asserts that the coalition government was imposed on the nation by a US-led plot.
unique monitoring station
To ensure law and order during the by-elections, a special election monitoring cell has been established at the Ministry of Interior.
The cell was set up on Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s express instruction to improve communication between law enforcement agencies and to enable quick action in the event of an unfavourable incident during the election.
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The control centres of the provincial governments and the federal law enforcement organisations are connected to the monitoring cell. The cell will continuously keep an eye on the state of law and order in the electoral districts.
The cell will continue to operate from today until the conclusion of the by-elections, with communication from Punjab Rangers and Frontier Constabulary Headquarters as well.
rivalry between competitors
It might end up being a neck-and-neck competition between the two sides in terms of expected poll position.
Every constituency has a unique dynamic and set of issues because these constituencies range from urban to rural and from north to south Punjab. Out of the 20 constituencies, the seats in Lahore and one in Multan will be more obviously significant and hold more symbolic weight.
If even three of the four seats in Lahore, which the PML-N claims to be its stronghold, are won by the PTI in these by-elections, it will be a major setback for the opposition party.
Political experts predict that the PTI will easily win two seats.
Zain Qureshi, the son of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, is running against Muhammad Salman, a former PTI MPA who is now running on behalf of the PML-N in Multan.
Qureshi, a pillar of the PTI, places great value on this Multan seat.
PP-170, PP-168, PP-167, and PP-158 are the four constituencies in Lahore where by-elections are being held.
PP-167 (Lahore)
Shabbir Gujjar, a candidate for the PTI, is running in this district, while Nazir Ahmed Chohan, a disqualified PTI MPA, is running for the PML-N. On a PTI ticket, Chohan, who had joined the PTI about ten years prior, was elected as an MPA in 2018.
This district is covered by NA-133. The local MNA is Shaista Pervaiz Malik. Party popularity would decide the outcome of this seat rather than a contest between the candidates. There is also a sizable voter base for the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan in the region.
PP-158 (Lahore)
Mian Akram Usman of the PTI is running, while Rana Ahsan Sharafat of the PML-N is.
The party vote bank will determine the winner, just like in the previous constituency.
PP-168 (Lahore)
Malik Nawaz Awan of the PTI is running, while Malik Asad Ali Khokhar of the PML-N is an ineligible MPA.
Compared to his PTI opponent, Malik Asad, the PML-N candidate, appears to be in a much more secure position. Saad Rafique, an MNA for the PML-N, represents the NA-131 constituency, which includes the seat.
His intra-party rivalry with senior PML-N leader Afzal Khokhar is the only apparent drawback.
PP-170 (Lahore)
Amin Zulqarnain Chaudary, a PTI MPA who has been disqualified, has been given the ticket by the PML-N, whereas Zaheer Abbas Khokhar has been selected by the PTI.
PP-170 is a part of NA-134, which is represented by Rana Mubashir Iqbal of the PML-N.
PP-140 (Sheikhupura)
Mian Khalid Mehmood, a PTI dissident MPA, has been selected by the PML-N for this race, while Advocate Khurram Shehzad Virk is the candidate for the PTI.
PP-140 is a part of NA-121, which is represented by Javed Latif, an MNA for the PML-N.
The PTI has a better chance of winning the seat thanks to its large population of young voters and its substantial urban population.
