Summary Polling is underway in NA-168 Bahawalpur, where PML-N’s Malik Munir Iqbal Channar faces independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema in a closely contested by-election.
BAHAWALPUR (Dunya News) – Polling was underway on Sunday in the NA-168 Bahawalpur by-election, with a close contest expected between PML-N’s Malik Munir Iqbal Channar and independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema.
Polling began at 8am and is scheduled to conclude at 5pm. Voters present within the boundaries of polling stations at the closing time will also be allowed to cast their votes.
The constituency fell vacant following the death of Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar in August. His son, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, is contesting the by-election as the ruling party’s candidate.
According to data from the provincial election commissioner’s office, a total of 483,143 voters are registered in the constituency, including 248,259 men and 234,614 women. Voting is being held at 292 polling stations, with 307 presiding officers and 941 polling and assistant presiding officers deployed.
A day earlier, the Punjab Home Department requested the federal interior ministry to deploy Army and Punjab Rangers personnel in the constituency for the smooth, peaceful and secure conduct of the by-election.
Ahead of the by-election, three people were injured on September 12 in an armed clash at Baqirpur linked to the election campaign of Wali Dad Cheema, son of former PML-Q federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema.
According to Rescue 1122 sources, the clash took place during Cheema’s election rally between supporters of rival candidates. Some participants resorted to firing, leaving three people injured.
