DG Khan by-elections: PML-Q bags PP 245

Results for PP 243 withheld; Political workers snatch ballot papers, stuff boxes.

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Hassamud Din Khosa of Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) secured most votes for Punjab provincial assembly seat PP 243 and Mohammed Khan Leghari of Pakistan Muslim League–Quaid (PML-Q) bagged PP 245 in the provincial by-elections on Monday.

However, the Election Commission of Pakistan withheld results for PP 243. Witnesses claimed that Rangers and police were bystanders in the polls marred by open display of firearms and use of strong arm tactics for rigging in this parched and arid district where feudal lords dictate the law.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, Khosa secured 25,518 votes and Leghari got 24,584 votes according to the ballot count on 75 out of 122 polling stations.

The rival candidate in PP 243, Imtiaz Leghari of Leghari group, got 19,205 votes and in PP 245 Mirza Talpur of PML -N baged 11,784 votes. Ballot count was still going on till the filling of this report.

With the wheat harvest season in full swing, low voter turnout was not surprising, but there was 100% vote casting at polling stations where influential people held sway.

Witnesses said the polling was not transparent in the localities of Zai, Basti Kalairi, Kot Habit, and Samina.

The presiding officer in Basti Kalairi has made a written complaint against the supporters of PML-N.

According to the presiding officer, the supporters of PML-N snatched five copies of ballot papers comprising 500 votes and filled the ballot boxes themselves. The PML-N workers made sure that all the registered women voters use their right of franchise although only thirteen had come in person to cast the ballot, the official said.

In Basti Ranjheywala, Ladan, and Koocha Wadani PML-N supporters took ballot papers from the presiding officer at the polling station and stuffed the boxes, witnesses said.

PML-N MNA Khosa was strongly opposing his elder brother Hassamud Din Khan Khosa in the by election on PP 243. On other hand, rival independent candidate Imtiaz Leghari of Leghari group alleged that PML-N won the slot on gunpoint. He further claimed that at the Zai polling station, his polling agent was kept outside forcibly by the supporters of the PML-N.

The local correspondent of Daily Express and Express News Ameer Baksh Khosa was roughed up by PML-N workers, who also snatched the mobile phone, camera, and election identity card of Khosa and tore his clothes.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2012.