The crucial by-elections in 20 constituencies of Punjab have concluded as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) battled it out with the chief ministership of the province at stake.
Counting underway
Counting of votes cast during the day’s polls is currently underway. The PTI is currently leading 18 seats, except those in Bahawalpur and Lahore.
Media was permitted to publish unofficial results one hour after the polls closed, in accordance with the election code of conduct.
The ECP stated that the results wouldn’t be declared official until after the returning officer had done so.
Imported govt’s fascist methods won’t succeed, says PTI Chairman Imran Khan
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has said that Shahbaz Gill’s detention was an attempt to “rig elections” and “create terror among people”.
He stated that “handlers of imported government” should see the harm they were causing to the country because “these fascist methods will not succeed” and the people would not be stopped from exercising their right to vote.
A tweet from the official account of Shahbaz Gill on Twitter said that he was “locked in a factory”. It said that soldiers of Imran Khan were not frightened of such strategies.
Earlier, images of Gill with guards wearing Frontier Corps uniforms were circulated on television.
Gill also said in a video uploaded to his YouTube account that poll workers in Muzaffargarh PP-272 were denied access to the voting places.
Fawad Chaudhry condemns arrest of Shahbaz Gill
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has denounced the detention of Shahbaz Gill.
In a tweet, Fawad said, “Police gardi is ongoing all across Punjab.”
He added that they vehemently opposed the arrest and cautioned party members to expect further arrests.
Soon after this condemnation by Fawad Chaudhary, he was reported to be in an altercation with TLP workers near Awan Market, Lahore.
According to reports, TLP workers gathered around Fawad Chaudhary’s car and chanted slogans.
ECP issues warning to Qureshi for visiting polling places
PTI Vice President Shah Mehmood Qureshi has received a notice from the Election Commission of Pakistan for “visiting several voting stations” in violation of the code of conduct of polls.
Qureshi was also confronted by the ECP on accusations that he “raided” a private enterprise in Multan with party members and “sold votes there”. Within 24 hours, the panel demanded a reply from the PTI leader on his allegations.
Punjab Home Minister Ataullah Tarar has accused Shah Mahmood Qureshi of “attempting to purchase votes from workers at a plant” in Multan.
He said that the PTI’s accusations against the Punjab government in this respect are “wrong”, claiming that “not a single incidence of rigging” had been discovered during the present by-elections.
Today’s election will decide fate of Punjab, says Sheikh Rashid
Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid has urged people to fulfill their national responsiblity against the “imposed rulers”, as the day’s outcome would decide who would be the chief minister.
The Awami Muslim League (AML) chief said in a video message on Twitter that today was a very important day in the history of Pakistan’s politics as a decision on Lahore’s throne would be made.
He added that this was the chance for the people to “take revenge from the turncoats who stole their votes” and put the country in an economic and political crisis.
Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz asks voters to cast ballots
Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz has said that this election was about service, efficiency, and wellbeing.
The chief minister said, “Voters should turn out to use their right to vote so Punjab can continue to experience good and constructive growth under the leadership of PMLN.”
CM Hamza Shehbaz emphasized that the goal of their politics was to serve the public, adding that Imran Khan practiced politics of misinformation and deceit.
He hoped that the populace would use their vote to reject the leader who was undermining the institutions with his party.
Punjab will cast vote against PTI’s corruption say Marriyum Aurangzeb
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that Punjab would vote today to condemn “corruption” and voters in 20 of Punjab’s constituencies would reject PTI’s and its narrative today.
Marriyum Aurangzeb posted a picture of a senior citizen who was reportedly assaulted by PTI members in Lahore, saying, “Look at the proof of Imran’s rowdy, anarchic, and cruel training.”
According to Marriyum Aurangzeb, Imran Khan had invited “riot gangs” to Punjab with the intention of inciting riots. The minister said, “Imran, fight the election; don’t quarrel with the people and political rivals.”
Shafqat Mehmood asks Hamza Shehbaz to resign
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf central leader Shafqat Mehmood, while talking to media during his visit to the polling station of PP-158, said that the “fake government” of Punjab had practically ended due to the loss of its majority.
He asked CM Hamza Shehbaz to resign as according to him, they were deliberately trying to make the situation worse.
Shafqat Mehmood claimed that PTI voters were being prevented from entering polling stations and polling agents were also being harassed by the police. He said that the fascist government could not cope with the enthusiasm of the people.
PTI’s Jamshed Iqbal Cheema tortured PML-N worker, claims Atta Tarrar
While talking to media, PML-N leader Atta Tarar said that no one was allowed to disturb the public order. Earlier, a fight broke out between PML-N and PTI workers in PP-158 upon entering the polling station.
PTI officials claimed that they were being prevented from entering, while police failed to break the fight between PTI and PML-N workers.
PTI Central Punjab Secretary Information Andleeb Abbas said police had not stopped PML-N workers from bullying and the “imported government” had appointed police to harass PTI workers.
According to Tarar, an order had been given for the arrest of Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and Saeed Mahis.
CCPO Lahore has said that no one would be allowed to take law into their hands and strict action will be taken.
ECP responds to Shahbaz Gill’s claim worker held by police
In a video posted by PTI’s Shahbaz Gill, the official claimed that their political worker at a voting place close to Qurban Lines, Lahore, was held by the police.
He said that police were showing that they were an “arm of the PML-N”.
He also said that a woman who went to vote did not find here name on the voters’ list and was reassigned to a different constitutency.
Moreover, Election Commission of Pakistan spokesperson, in response to a video posted by Shahbaz Gill, stated that the chief election commissioner had given “clear instructions” to the provincial chief secretary and inspector general of the Punjab Police that no “retaliatory action” should be taken against any civilian and that “the ECP will take strict action against it” if it was.
The CEC stated that every effort should be made to ensure “fairness and transparency” in the by-elections in Punjab.
By-polls in pictures
Comments are closed.