ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) secured a significant victory in the by-election for the NA-171 National Assembly seat in Rahim Yar Khan.
According to official results from all polling stations, PPP candidate Makhdoom Tahir Rashiduddin garnered 116,429 votes, defeating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Hassaan Mustafa, who received 58,251 votes. While seven candidates participated, the contest primarily revolved around PPP and PTI.
The constituency, which has 526,973 registered voters, saw voting at 301 polling stations. These included 88 stations for male voters, 88 for female voters, and 125 combined stations. Notably, 62 polling stations were classified as sensitive, prompting special security measures, such as CCTV installations, to ensure a peaceful election.
This victory is seen as a crucial achievement for the PPP, strengthening its position in an area where its rivalry with PTI has been fierce in recent years.
PPP supporters celebrated throughout the constituency, and Makhdoom Tahir Rashid expressed gratitude for the public’s trust in his leadership.
Incidents of election code violations were reported, with videos circulating on social media showing individuals casting votes. Some voters recorded videos of their stamped ballot papers and took pictures inside polling booths, even though the administration had banned mobile phones inside polling stations.
Additionally, the administration ordered the removal of a political party’s camp set up within 100 meters of polling station 241, as per the law prohibiting such camps in proximity to polling stations. Police instructed the PTI to relocate its camp accordingly.
The by-election was prompted by the death of PTI MNA Mumtaz Mustafa in August. To maintain order, Section 144 was imposed, banning large gatherings and processions. Over 2,700 police officers were deployed to ensure security during the election.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
