Polling at Daska by-election continuing
SIALKOT: Polling is underway for the Daska by-elections in NA-75, Sialkot’s National Assembly constituency.
The polling is being monitored by the Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja from the Provincial Election Commission Punjab office.
A tight contest is being expected between Nosheen Iftikhar of PML-N and PTI’s Ali Asjad Malhi.
Chief Election Commissioner directed Secretary Election Commission Dr Akhtar Nazir to arrive at Sialkot immediately.
Nine people were arrested outside Polling Station 17 for carrying weapons, according to the Election Commission. An FIR has been registered against them.
The suspects were supporters of the PTI and PML-N. They were chanting slogans against each other.
An activist at a polling station in NA-75 Daska accused the policeman of forcibly sealing a badge from a female voter, after information received Atta Tarar reached polling station.
PML-N leader Atta Tarar said why the male police are on duty at the women’s polling station, a complaint has been lodged with the DPO and the Election Commission.
PML-N candidate Nusheen Iftikhar, told media that Daska is the stronghold of PML-N, some people of the PPP are supporting but it will not make any difference.
She said the Presiding Officers should not make any move which is contentious to the election, as if we have to go to the Election Commission or the Supreme Court again.
Sialkot’s NA-75 seat fell vacant after PML-N MNA Iftikharul Hassan Shah died of a heart attack in August 2020.
Shah was elected MNA from the area thrice. He won the seat after securing 40,042 votes in the 2018 General Election.
The by-election on the vacant seat was held on February 19 before the 2021 Senate Election. The results were, however, challenged by the members of the opposition.
The PML-N accused the PTI of attempting to rig the elections after some presiding members ‘went missing’ during the vote count. The officers came to the ECP on February 20 morning with the results and claimed that they left early because the fog was too dense.
The PML-N challenged the results in the Election Commission and the electoral body ordered re-polling in the entire constituency.
