By-Election
MULTAN: The election campaign for the by-election in NA-148 (Multan) concluded at midnight on Saturday. The polling is scheduled for Sunday.
This by-election is being conducted because the seat was vacated by Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), who is currently the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan.
As the polling day approaches, all election activities have come to a halt. Candidates are now barred from organizing rallies, processions, or corner meetings.
The competition is expected to be fierce between PPP’s Qasim Gillani and Barrister Taimoor Malik from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
In the general elections held on February 8, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani of the PPP narrowly won the seat with a margin of just 293 votes.
He secured 67,326 votes, while Barrister Taimoor Malik, backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), received 67,033 votes. This close contest set the stage for an intense by-election campaign.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani vacated the NA-148 seat following his election as a Senator, which led to his eventual appointment as the Chairman of the Senate. His departure necessitated the by-election to fill the now-vacant seat.
With the campaign period over, the candidates and their supporters have shifted their focus to ensuring a strong voter turnout on election day.
The authorities have enforced strict regulations to maintain order and fairness during the polling process, prohibiting any form of last-minute campaigning.
Qasim Gillani, representing the PPP, aims to retain the seat previously held by his father, leveraging the party’s established presence in the constituency.
On the other hand, Barrister Taimoor Malik of the SIC is striving to capture the seat by appealing to the voters with promises of change and development.
As the people of NA-148 prepare to cast their votes, the election is being closely monitored by political analysts and the media, given its potential implications for the broader political landscape in Pakistan.
The results of this by-election could influence future political strategies and alignments, especially in the lead-up to the next general elections.
Both candidates have expressed confidence in their respective campaigns, urging their supporters to come out and vote. The outcome will be decided by the electorate’s choice on Sunday, as they head to the polling stations to exercise their democratic right.
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