PTI wins Multan by-polls

MULTAN: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Sunday won the by-polls in PP-218 Multan-VIII after results were received from majority of the polling stations where PTI was leading with about 10,000 votes, PTI sources said.

According to unofficial results, PTI candidate Malik Wasif Raan won the by-polls with a heavy margin against PPP candidate Malik Arshad Raan. Malik Wasif Raan received 47,722 votes while Malik Arshad Raan received 37,677 votes.

Seasoned politician in the constituency Malik Zafar Raan said the PTI candidate has won the slot. He said both the PTI and the PPP gave a tough time to each other.

Earlier, polling was held peacefully amid low turnout and tight security measures. The polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm.The seat had fallen vacant after the death of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Mazhar Abbas Raan. Six candidates contested the by-election with the main contest between Malik Wasif Raan and Malik Arshad Raan. The PML-N backed Malik Arshad Raan.

Among the independents were Malik Shahid Abbas Raan, Muhammad Tufail, Muhammad Ramzan and Muhammad Israr-ul-Haq Cheema. The constituency has a total of 203,188 registered voters including 111,918 males and 91,270 females. In the July 2018 general elections, Malik Mazhar Abbas Raan had got 45,817 votes while PPP candidate Malik Muhammad Abbas 37,417 votes and PML-N’s Zaffar Ahmed 25,000 votes.