By-elections: Close contest between candidates in Hunza

GILGIT: A close contest was held between Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz candidate and an independent candidate in the by-election held in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday.

GBLA-6, the constituency where the by-polls were under way, was vacated by Mir Ghazanfar Ali after he was appointed as governor of G-B, replacing Barjees Tahir.

According to unofficial reports, the contest was between Saleem Khan of PML-N and independent candidate Obaidullah, with the former apparently leading the polls.

"Saleem Khan is leading and that’s the information we have so far," said Amjad Barcha, a journalist.

"So far, we have unofficial results of half of the 64 polling stations," Barcha added.

Akhun Bhai, who had been replaced by Awami Workers Party’s Baba Jan, was lagging behind along with PTI and PPP candidates.

The PML-N candidate was accused of influencing the administration using the office of his father and mother Rani Atiqa, who is also a member of G-B’s legislative assembly.

“The result was known to all and sundry,” said a supporter of Akhun Bhai, referring to support allegedly extended by G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali.

More than 36,392 voters exercised their right to vote in 64 polling stations of the constituency.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2016.