All eyes on PS-127: Rangers get magisterial powers

MQM, PPP, PTI competing for coveted seat in Malir

KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) gave Rangers and the district returning officer (DRO) magisterial powers on Tuesday for the by-election in the Malir-based PS-127 constituency scheduled for Thursday (tomorrow).

It was also decided at a meeting at the provincial ECP office to deploy the paramilitary force inside and outside polling stations to ensure transparency. “The police will also start patrolling in the consistency and the army has been asked to remain on standby,” said provincial election commissioner Tanveer Zaki, who chaired the meeting.

The seat fell vacant when then Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Ashfaq Mangi defected to the Pak Sarzameen Party. An ECP spokesperson said that out of the total 134 polling stations, 66 have been declared ‘most sensitive’ while the remaining have been declared sensitive. The total number of registered voters is 207,467, of which 91,355 are women.



The ECP has also set up a complaint cell at the provincial head office. Meanwhile, use of mobile phones has been banned inside the polling stations. “Only the presiding officer can use a phone,” said an ECP official, adding that accredited media personnel will also be given a one-time permission to review the situation inside.

Tough contest

According to independent observers, a neck-and-neck fight is expected between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and MQM candidates. Former Gadap Town nazim Murtaza Baloch is PPP’s candidate while PTI has fielded property dealer Nadeem Memon. Meanwhile, former MPA Waseem Ahmed is contesting on behalf of the MQM.

“This constituency actually belongs to the PPP but MQM candidates are contesting the third consecutive election since the killing of sitting PPP MPA Abdullah Murad Baloch in 2004,” said political observer Waheed Murad, adding that the PPP has started a massive campaign with development work in the area. However, he added, PPP may suffer a setback as the PTI has fielded a strong candidate who enjoys support in Sindhi and Baloch dominated areas.

According to the last general election results, Mangi had secured 59,811 votes, defeating PPP’s Muhammad Ashraf Samoo, who could only bag 15,158 votes. Meanwhile, PTI’s Syed Azhar received around 13,818 votes.

Fingers crossed

PPP candidate Baloch said that no one can defeat him in the election. “MQM had won the last three polls because of massive rigging,” he claimed. “If a transparent election is held, PPP will regain its position.”

On the other hand, MQM leader Aminul Haque stated that his party has been winning the seat for the last three elections and will clinch it again. Haque said that despite what he called a ‘biased crackdown’ against the party, they are in a strong position in the constituency. He refused to comment on the deployment of Rangers instead of the army at the polling stations. However, he said, whosoever takes up security duties should ensure a free and fair election.

Meanwhile, the PTI is also hopeful about the election as they believe that MQM’s position in the city is uncertain. The party’s position became strong in the constituency after Haleem Adil Sheikh, who belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid, joined the party in January this year along with a large number of followers.

Party candidate Memon said that he is confident about his victory. “People in the area know my background and trust PTI chairperson Imran Khan,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2016.