PPP rout PTI in NA-249 by-election

As per details, PPP candidate Qadir Khan Mandokhel secured 16,156 votes to win the NA-249 Karachi West-II by-election. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) Miftah Ismail got 15,473 votes to remain second while Nazir Ahmed of proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) trailed on the third position by receiving 11,125 votes

Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal got 9,227 votes to remain fourth. PTI candidate Amjad Afridi secured fifth position by obtaining 8,922 votes.

Following the victory, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari turned to his official twitter handle and wrote, "Thank you Karachi #NA249."

Thank you Karachi. #NA249 pic.twitter.com/LwZGlvoH0k

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) April 29, 2021

The Election Commission had made all necessary arrangements to hold the elections in peaceful manner. 

After polling closed at 5:00 pm, results started pouring in around an hour later in an election that was not marred by reports of voter fraud or violence.

ECP had put strict measures in place to ensure that no irregularities occur.

Polling for NA-249 constituency of Karachi by-election continued uninterrupted till 5 pm. Voters at the polling station were allowed to cast their votes even after the polling period ended, while the counting of votes began.

Strict security arrangements were made outside all the polling stations in the constituency, preparations at various polling stations were incomplete and polling could not start on time.

276 polling stations were set up in the constituency out of which 184 polling stations were declared as highly sensitive while 92 polling stations were declared as sensitive. CCTV cameras were also installed at the most sensitive polling stations.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of PTI’s Faisal Vawda, who resigned after winning the Senate election.

However, in the by-elections, prominent personalities like Miftah Ismail of PML-N, Amjad Afridi of PTI, Mustafa Kamal of Pak-Sar-Zamin Party, Hafiz Mursalin of MQM-Pakistan and Qadir Khan Mandokhel of PPP were in the fray.

There was a close contest between the PML-N and PPP in the final count.

A total of 30 candidates, including 18 independents, were contesting in the constituency.

The Sindh government had declared a holiday in NA-249.

In connection with the by-poll in the NA-249 PML-N had requested the Election Commission to extend the polling time.

PML-N candidate Miftah Ismail had written a letter to the Provincial Election Commissioner requesting an extension of polling time, saying that the pace of polling was very slow due to the hottest day of Ramadan.

However, the request was turned down by the returning officer.