The constituency had remained the seat of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) in the all previous general elections.
Bhatti had secured 20,416 votes while 20,097 votes were secured by Muinuddin Riaz Qureshi of PML-N, according to the final unofficial results. The voting turn-out remained at about 22%.
The PP-194 seat had been vacant since the resignation of Shahid Mehmood Khan of PML-N who had later joined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) with Javed Hashmi.
PML-N had given the ticket to Muinuddin Riaz Qureshi ignoring all other PML-N workers in Multan. Qureshi had earlier contested the seat from a PML -Quaid ticket and had served as the provincial minister following his successful election in the 2002 general elections.
Electronic voting machines get a field test
The by-elections carried a significance other than consolidating PPP position in south Punjab. The elections featured the use of electronic voting machines for the first time in Pakistan. Machines had been set up in polling stations at Women Degree College, Kutchery and Workers Welfare School on experimental basis.
The total number of voters was 1,88,472, with 1,02,416 male voters and 86,056 female voters. At least 134 polling stations were set up by the Election Commission of Pakistan including 69 for male voters and 65 for female voters.
Eight independent candidates were also contesting in the by-elections.
COMMENTS (15)
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People Should Wake Up....
Voting PTI in next elections, mean favouring PPP/ANP/PMLQ & MQM electoral alliance in next elections....
PPP/ANP/PMLQ & MQM can take easily 100 to 120 seats in next elections from South Punjab & Sindh as Seriaki Province Slogan & Sindh Card will be on it's full swing....
Do not vote PTI or force PTI to make alliance with PML-N....
That is the only way PPP/ANP/PMLQ & MQM alliance can be defeated in next elections....
Split vote between PMLN & PTI mean......Zardari the President of Pakistan until 2018...
This is true message from public of Pakistan, no shouts for miss polls, PPP themselves not expecting to win this but People's sympathy is again with PPP. All the other choices invalidated. Judiciary, PML(N) should get the message. Jeay Bhutto, Jeay BB, Jeay Zardari.
USMAN............Congrats !!!
Go ahead... and prove yourself that you are the BEST ...!
I dont have words to explain my feelings on this wonderful triumph but simply is that ... wish you all the best and love u brother always ...!
From,
Zulfiqar Khan
Please note danger is that we vote for certain ethnic party rather than principles.
The same problem arises in India , eg caste based voting in UP.
PPP candidate got a sympathy vote in his constituency after its Prime Minister was convicted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
i guess now every one must realize that why PPPP was shouting saraiki province .. saraiki province .... they just playing ethic card... shame on them...
PPP successfully played linguistic and ethnic card in Sindh and became successful and they did the same thing in South Punjab and now they are winning. The politics of ethnic and linguistic hatred always bring good results in Islamic resuplic of Pakistan.
Congruglation sir>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Goes to show the importance of judiciary when the population is legally and ethically so ignorant .
The urban elite have not a clue about the rural heartland of Pakistan. This is not just a seat but it belonged to PML-N in "every" election. It is like PPP winning from NS seat in Lahore. This is a litmus test and an eye opener for those who only hate PPP but do not offer a credible alternative with a clear program. Time to get off your high hog wake up and smell the coffee. This and other results explain why the deep state and its supporters cannot wait another year for the next elections. They know the results and that is why they want to change the govt via backdoor.
So all the propaganda of being a victim has won the ruling party another seat. The narrative of victimhood being spread by ppp members on the media has worked and the ppl of multan have been fooled into voting for ppp. These same ppl then scream when the petrol prices are increased,these same ppl scream when the food prices go up but what do they do when they have a chance to hold the govt. accountable for all the mehangai? They give vote to the same ppl who they curse when the prices go up. Our country deserves the rulers we've got.
@Mir: Sir I know politics of Pakistan very well. Other than big cities there is no awareness at all in Sub Urban and rural regions. It is all about local politics away from national politics and local politics is based on some local funding, language and most of all the Bardari system. In my view PPP and its allies are in a position to be in the government for the next time as well and in Upper Punjab stupid PMLN and PTI will waste their energies by fighting among themselves.
Well it is not a big lead and PMLN put up a good fight there. 400 votes is not a big margin when we actually know that South Punjab is the strong hold of PPP and everyone expects PPP to win with big margin in South Punjab. Also i think someone should tell Imran Khan that is the time for PTI to step in otherwise they will not be able to understand the election phenomena as it is complex and needs a lot of experience. I hope PTI will field in their candidates in all up coming elections rather than going for a boycott for everything like they are doing it right now.
what a joke people vote the party who's prime minister is today convicted. Look like all analysts,anchors talk against PPP don't have enough knowledge about ground realities.