PPP candidate wins PB-45 by-election

QUETTA: Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidate Haji Ali Madad Jatak Sunday emerged victorious with 6,883 votes as per the unofficial results in by-election at 15 polling stations in PB-45. The by-election was conducted under the orders of Election Tribunal and Form 47 was issued.

According to unofficial results, a total of 17,752 valid votes were cast, with 41 votes rejected.

Haji Ali Madad Jatak secured 6,883 votes, while Nasrullah Zairay of Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) came in second with 4,122 votes. Mir Usman Pirkani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam received 3,731 votes, and Majid Khan Achakzai of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party received 998 votes. The turnout was 35.36%.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam provincial amir Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay called on the party workers to gather in front of the DC office, Quetta. A large number of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam workers assembled there. Maulana Abdul Wasay stated that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s candidate had won at all the 15 polling stations. He claimed that their election agents, assembly members and officials were being prevented from accessing the office. He alleged that similar to the situation on February 8, 2024, their victory was being turned into a loss.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Balochistan declared that its candidate Haji Ali Madad Jatak had gained a clear lead in the re-polling for PB-45. The statement mentioned that the opposition parties’ protests were an attempt to influence the election results. The statement claimed that the opposition parties were trying to pressurise the election staff.

Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party workers also gathered outside the DC office to protest the results. The police increased security in the city, deploying heavy force.