Ruling PML-N wins most seats in by-polls, opposition cries foul

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party secured a majority of the 21 national and provincial seats up for grabs in the by-elections held on Sunday, according to provisional results released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

However, the polls were marred by allegations of “record rigging,” temporary suspension of cellular services in specific districts, and multiple incidents of violence, leading to the death of a PML-N supporter.

The PML-N won two National Assembly seats from Punjab, while the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and an independent candidate won one each from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) clinched the NA seat from Sindh. In Punjab, the PML-N grabbed 10 provincial seats, while the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) won one. In KP, one seat each went to the SIC and an independent candidate.

The by-polls were held amid a tense political atmosphere, with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former prime minister Imran Khan alleging that the elections were heavily rigged in favor of the ruling party.

The suspension of cellular services in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan also raised eyebrows, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) citing the interior ministry’s directions to safeguard the integrity and security of the electoral process.

The government had authorized the deployment of civil armed forces and the Pakistan Army to assist the ECP in the peaceful conduct of by-polls, but the opposition parties have accused the government of using state machinery to influence the outcome.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the newly elected legislators, saying that the results of Sunday’s by-polls reflected people’s confidence in the ruling PML-N party.

“The victory of the newly elected members of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) in the by-elections is a manifestation of the people’s confidence,” the PML-N quoted Sharif as saying on X. “We assure the public that we will spare no effort in serving them.”

The premier said the PML-N candidates’ success is a public recognition of the government’s efforts to restore the economy, reduce inflation and improve foreign relations. “With further economic improvement and increase in relief for the masses, the public’s opinion will change further in the coming day.”

The PTI rejected the results, accusing authorities of helping PML-N candidates win through force.

“Congratulations to you and your party for such a victory in which the election was stolen in broad daylight by trampling on the people’s opinion,” the PTI wrote to Punjab Chief Minister and PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz Sharif on X.