DERA GHAZI KHAN City News

PP-240 by-polls: Turnout remains around 25pc

Ruling party workers allegedly beat independent candidate

From Hasnain Qaisrani

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The poor response of the voters disappointed the contestants in by-elections for PP-240 as the turnout remained around 25 per cent.

Incidents of firing were also reported from different polling stations.

Polling began at most of the polling stations as per schedule but at some polling stations it started with delay. Zain Abbas Qaisrani, a supporter of the PML-N candidate, was injured after the rival party allegedly opened fire on the reports of rigging at Hamlani polling station. Later, workers of the PML-N allegedly beat independent candidate Sardar Imam Bakhsh Qaisrani and also damaged his vehicle. He was rescued by the tribal elders while the police have yet to register a case.

The polling plan for various areas including Basti Ganjey Wali, Basti Serai, Basti Tagewali, Basti Dheedhey and Basti Rustmani, was reportedly changed and about 50 per cent registered voters were shifted to Basti Jhangey while the rest of the voters could not find their names in the list available with the polling staff. The voters of Jhok Mitha Khan, Bakhrowali, Basti Mapal and Basti Laisrey were shifted to a remote area of Basti Ganjewali. As a result, a large number of voters could not cast their votes.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Sardar Imam Bakhsh Qaisrani alleged that the administration fully supported the PML-N candidate. He further alleged that bogus votes were polled at a large number of polling stations. He accused the PML-N candidate of openly violating the election code of conduct. Another independent candidate Khawaja Muhammad Dawood also leveled the same allegations. On the influence of the PML-N candidate, more than registered votes were cast at a number of polling stations, he alleged.