The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) criticised the PML-N government on Thursday and accused it of employing pre-poll rigging tactics to support its candidate in the NA-129 by-election. The by-election will be held on Sunday, and PTI leaders claim the ruling party has already tilted the political environment in its favour. They allege that state personnel removed PTI banners, influenced polling arrangements and appointed officials linked to the PML-N candidate.
Campaign Begins Amid Tensions
The PTI claimed that local authorities tore down campaign banners of its supported candidate, Chaudhry Arslan, before the election drive gained momentum. Video footage circulating on social media shows police officials removing posters belonging to Arslan, who is contesting as an independent candidate on the ‘geyser’ symbol. PTI leaders said these actions signalled a clear attempt to suppress their campaign early on.
Moreover, PTI leaders alleged that the government had posted officials from the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) as presiding officers for the by-election. They argued that these appointments created a conflict of interest because the PML-N candidate, Muhammad Nauman, previously served as chairman of Lesco’s Board of Directors. Hammad Azhar highlighted this issue on X and posted appointment orders showing that four presiding officers were chosen from Lesco.
PTI Questions Electoral Fairness
The party leadership described these developments as an orchestrated effort to influence the outcome in favour of the ruling party’s nominee. PTI leaders argued that the repeated involvement of government departments in election duties strengthened their concerns about fairness in NA-129. They insisted that these moves showed clear institutional bias ahead of polling day.
The by-election was triggered by the death of Mian Muhammad Azhar. His nephew, Chaudhry Arslan, is contesting the seat after receiving support from Hammad Azhar. The junior Azhar nominated Arslan while remaining on the run from authorities in multiple cases. Despite internal challenges, PTI leaders say they will support Arslan as the only candidate representing their political position in Lahore.
Party Maintains Boycott of Other By-Elections
PTI continues to boycott all other by-elections scheduled in Sargodha, Mianwali, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, DG Khan and Muzaffargarh. These polls were announced after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified several PTI MPAs. Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, instructed the party leadership not to participate in these polls to avoid legitimising the disqualification orders.
Imran said in a post on X that the disqualified lawmakers remained loyal despite immense pressure. He argued that contesting the by-elections would validate the state’s actions against those legislators. PTI leaders reiterated this stance and maintained that NA-129 remains their only electoral engagement during the current cycle.
