The National Assembly seat in Multan had fallen vacant after former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi resigned and announced that he would contest the elections as an independent candidate.
The provincial government submitted an application to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the elections due to security reasons -- which was later rejected by ECP.
In response to this request, the provincial election commission said there were no concrete reasons for them to delay the elections and all preparations are underway.
The ECP has decided to deploy Rangers in the area for security purposes.
The by-polls for the seat are scheduled for October 16 and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is believed to be backing Hashmi in by-elections.
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you didn't publish my comment here as well.............
The term 'security' has been misused for vested interests more often than not. If 2013 General elections can be held despite the security situation, anything can be done.
It is neither the fear of Hashmi defeat nor it is the fear for the lives of innocent Pakistani, rather it is a drama set up for rigging through armed robbery. Unfortunately, ECP facilitated rigging and Govt of Punjab benefited from it, so now loss of Hashmi will mean PTI/PAT are right about rigging and people support them. Therefore, both ECP and Govt of Punjab will make sure Hashmi win by every mean to prove people do not support PTI/PAT. ECP will not ask for army help despite the fact, govt of Punjab already admitted law and order risk, thus will give free hand to Gullu Butts to either play with lives of innocent people or rigged the election to help Hashmi win.
@Fawad Gilani: PTI don't have a candidate on PTI ticket in this by-election. But probably PTI voters will support another parties candidate standing against JH.
@Ahsan: Change is hiding behind independent candidate who is infamouse for land grabbing.
@ abdullah PTI may win but I want the resignation of the PTI candidate in advance. Or he will be disqualified from the party like the others who have not given in their resignations. Or will PTI do a U turn on this matter like in everything else?
Yep looks like all the above comments reflect well the reality of the situation.....as the ECP are deploying Rangers for security so could the government have done the same if the had wanted the by-election to go ahead....they don't hesitate to do so in other parts of the country when it is convenient for them!
The writing is on the wall and it reads:
GO NAWAZ GO!
An attempt to avoid Mr Hashmi's humiliating defeat.
Looks like they have read the writing on the wall and trying the save the face by doing a runner from Elections even though PTI is not contesting. Fear of losing is great!
The scared renegade, can't even win with the sport of the state apparatus,
"Democratic Government" running away from democratic process. No LB Elections, no by-elections. King is not ready to give rights to its Rayah.
If no election required, send all members and staff of Election Commissioner to home instead bearing the cost of their salaries.
I am from this constituency, to be honest Hashmi (PMLN backed) was about to loose with a big margin. This would be unfair if this election is postponed on unrealistic grounds.
If the Election Commission accepts the plea of Punjab Government which is anticipating a huge defeat to its sponsored candidate Mr. Javed Hashmi, than the Election Commission will be considered partisn and not neutral *strong text*
Hashmi sb keep abusing PTI if you will lose MNA seat they will make you senator but for this you need to conduct a press conference daily against PTI.
Seems like Hashmi and PMLN wants to run away from the contest.
Writing on the wall says they're scared to the point of psychological defeat.
You cant stop the movement of change; either bend with it or stand aside.
The #Daghi has shamed himself The Nawaz Regime is proving itself to cowered that can't fight a fair Elections but they don't mind being shameless they just can't accept any other person to win, what kind of democracy is this
I think it appears that Mr Javaid Hashmi is anticipating his defeat and so his political career as a result of this. PMLN is here for his rescue. Then we say the elections in Pakistan are free and fair where govt don't interfere. What is this security issue now just 2 days before?? What is that big threat even bigger than capability of our Provincial security apparatus ??
What are they afraid of? Will PTI organize their workers poorly in Multan leading to a stampede on the day of the gathering? Oh wait a minute. That already happened.